After losing her sister, Elaine discovers a surprising new companion in a chicken named Flapper. Now, with a flock of chooks and a mission to change how people see them, she’s become a local legend, The Mother of Chooks.
Mother of Chooks is a heartfelt and disarmingly sweet documentary that gently captures the life of Elaine James, a Geelong local whose deep companionship with her flock of rescued chickens leads her back into the heart of her community. Directed by mother-and-son team Jesse Samos Leaman and Maite Martin Samos, the film is a celebration of unexpected friendship, resilience, and the many forms that love can take.
At its core, this is a film about connection. Each morning, Elaine bundles up her beloved chickens—each with their own personality and quirks—and sets off into town. Whether chatting with locals at a café or paddling in the surf, Elaine and her feathered friends turn heads and spark smiles. Her bond with the chooks is remarkable: she knows them intimately, looks them in the eye without hesitation, and shares in their quiet companionship with gentle pride. The mutual respect between woman and bird is both amusing and touching.
There is a deeper context too. Having experienced the loss of her family and canine companions, Elaine could have easily slipped into isolation. Instead, she chose a path of lightness and laughter. Her chickens filled a void and, in doing so, opened up a new chapter of community engagement, joy, and purpose.
While the documentary slightly loses its narrative focus in the final third—largely due to an unavoidable filming disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic—its emotional core remains strong. The transition from a breezy portrait of companionship to a more reflective tribute may feel a little abrupt, but it never loses its charm.
Free of cynicism or tragedy, Mother of Chooks is a rare gem: wholesome, funny, and quietly profound. It’s a gentle reminder that companionship can come in many forms, and that kindness and love—be it feathered or human—can offer profound healing.
Directed by Jesse Samos Leaman & Maite Martin Samos | 19 mins | Australia | English | New Zealand Premiere – International Short Category
Screening as part of Shorts 4 Collection at the Doc Edge documentary festival, in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and online from 25 June.