Ma (2015)

A wordless, visually poetic drama reimagining the Virgin Mary's journey through the modern American Southwest.

Ma - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Ma
  • Release Year: 2015
  • Directed by: Celia Rowlson-Hall
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Drama
  • Runtime: 1h 20m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Alternative Titles: Ma (2015) (US)
  • Production Companies: MEMORY
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Ma - Plot

In this modern-day vision of Mother Mary's pilgrimage, a woman crosses the American Southwest playfully deconstructing the woman's role in a world of roles.

Ma - Trailer

See the haunting, movement-driven world of Ma come alive in the official trailer.

Where to Watch Ma

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Ma - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Celia Rowlson-Hall

Main Cast

  • Celia Rowlson-Hall
  • Andrew Pastides
  • Amy Seimetz
  • Kentucker Audley
  • Matt Lauria
  • Michelle Perks
  • Peter Vack

Writers

  • Celia Rowlson-Hall

Producers

  • Lauren Smitelli
  • Aaron Schnobrich

Ma - FAQs

What is Ma (2015) about?

Ma follows a woman on a wordless, dreamlike journey across the American Southwest, reimagining the Virgin Mary's pilgrimage in a modern setting. Through movement, landscape, and visual poetry, the film questions and playfully dismantles the roles society assigns to women, blending dance, myth, and road-movie imagery.

Is Ma (2015) a silent or dialogue-free film?

Yes, Ma is largely a dialogue-free experience. Celia Rowlson-Hall tells the story almost entirely through movement, gesture, and visual composition, giving the film a dance-cinema quality that sets it apart from conventional narrative dramas. It's an immersive, sensory piece rather than a traditionally spoken one.

Where can you stream Ma (2015)?

You can stream Ma on Philo, OVID, Fandor (via Amazon Channel), and Cineverse, or watch it for free on Kanopy. It's also available to rent or buy on Apple TV. Quite a few options depending on what services you already have.

What inspired the Virgin Mary concept in Ma?

Writer-director Celia Rowlson-Hall drew on the iconography of the Virgin Mary to craft a meditation on femininity, expectation, and spiritual journey. By transplanting the myth into the American Southwest, the film reframes a sacred archetype through a contemporary, feminist lens, exploring what it means to embody a role imposed by culture and religion.

Who directed and stars in Ma (2015)?

Celia Rowlson-Hall wrote, directed, and stars in the film as the central figure known as Ma. She's joined by Amy Seimetz, Andrew Pastides, Matt Lauria, Kentucker Audley, Michelle Perks, and Peter Vack. Rowlson-Hall's background in dance and choreography is central to the film's visual language.

Is Ma (2015) worth watching for art-house fans?

Absolutely, if you enjoy experimental, visually driven cinema. Ma is a bold, unconventional debut that prioritizes feeling over plot, using the American landscape as both backdrop and metaphor. Critics praised its daring form and Rowlson-Hall's commanding physical performance. It's the kind of film that lingers long after the credits roll.

What genre is Ma (2015)?

Ma is classified as a drama, but it sits comfortably at the intersection of dance cinema, experimental film, and road movie. Its non-verbal storytelling and mythological underpinnings give it a unique identity that goes well beyond conventional genre labels.

Where was Ma (2015) filmed?

Ma was shot on location across the American Southwest, with the vast desert landscapes playing a defining role in the film's atmosphere. The open roads, dusty terrain, and wide skies serve as a visual metaphor for the protagonist's spiritual and physical journey, making the setting feel almost like a character in itself.

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