The Mother That Loved Too Much: Review of Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (2023)

Synopsis of Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway (2023)

What does one do when everything they know and are a part of is termed “wrong”? What is a mother to do when entire systems, bodies, and countries tell her she is unfit to care for her children? Who should a woman turn to when her husband stabs her in the back and conspires with his family to keep her away from her children? She keeps fighting and doesn’t stop until her children are back in her arms.

Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway (2023) is the story of one woman’s one-man battle against the country of Norway and its social services system. Following a ten-week evaluation by social workers from Velfred, Mrs. Chatterjee’s children are taken from her. The verdict?

Mrs. Debika Chatterjee is an unfit mother.

Due to claims of spousal violence, Velfred also believed the Chatterjee home was not a safe place to raise the children. Debika sues Velfred and tries her best to get her children back. But every decision she makes worsens the situation and strengthens the opposition’s case. The movie is based on a true life story and how Mrs. Sagarika Chakraborty fought against the Norwegian government to reunite with her kids.

Analysis

When I think of Norway, I think of many things. I think northern lights, the songstress, Aurora, and miles of land covered in snow.

Of stockfish and my friend, Rubie, who is convinced she was meant to be Norwegian and not Nigerian. Of tall, blond men and my favorite influencer Fumi Desalu-Vold.

But Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway (2022) created a new file in my Norway folder. From the feasibility of traditional family dynamics in the modern world down to the penchant of immigrants to bend themselves into a pretzel to achieve settled status, the film presents an entire charcuterie board of themes. First off, I have to commend everyone that worked on this film. The acting was spot on. The plotting and scene arrangements inserted us into Mrs. Chatterjee’s headspace, making it easy to identify with her pain and frustration. When watching this film, I had so many questions.