Hoarding is a disease that affects millions of North Americans. Essentially, a person with this illness will gather and save found items – whether they be trinkets from a garage sale, old newspapers, clothing, food wrapping, tools or toys - to feel connected. Their living space will gradually get taken over, to the point where it is uninhabitable and hazardous to their health.

Director Cynthia Lester's mother has hoarding disease; My Mother's Garden is the story of her mother's battle and also a story of a family coming together to help her condition, as it reaches an alarming degree.

The film depicts the physical process of de-junking the house, but also shows the mental process of a mother and daughter trying to understand each other and heal a relationship.

Cynthia's film is an incredibly courageous documentation of a difficult personal and family struggle.

-Jen McNeely

Q&A with Director Cynthia Lester

What was your main objective in making this film?

My main objective was actually to not make the film but to help my mom and the family, documenting the process came second actually. I just focused on what the crisis was that the family was going through, documenting how hard it is for a disenfranchised family to come together and work together on a task that was already impossible, let alone be in the same room together. I think we surprised ourselves that we actually made a good team and accomplished something huge! It just shows you how much potential there is in family and how strong the bond of love is even though we grew up in chaos. Also, my objective was to raise awareness about the issues of growing up poor and what my mother had to do to survive in America and how her hoarding disorder took over. I thought there wasnt any exposure in media about how I grew up so I wanted to make sure my voice and my life was recognized in hopes that others could maybe relate and seek refuge or at least get a glimpse into a world that has not been publicized much.

What is the most rewarding result from the making of your film? 

Now that my mother is in a better place, she can actually be the mother that I need when times are hard for me or my brothers. I recently went through a big transition in my life and my mother was there for me and that meant a lot. I think that's what I was searching for all these years, so in a way helping my mom was necessary to help myself deal with a lot of issues from my childhood.

If you had to use three words to describe your film, what would they be?

Family, patience, and love.

My Mother's Garden Screenings:

Monday April 21, 9:15 PM – Al Green Theatre

Wednesday April 23, 1:30 PM – Alliance Cumberland Cinemas