ME TIME: Self-determination instead of Mother's Joy? – A Film by Ayla Yildiz
In the SOONER podcast, Ayla Yildiz talks about the making of ME TIME and why the topic of self-determination is so important to her.
Ayla Yildiz has created a moving documentary with her film Me Time, which openly addresses child-free living, idealized motherhood roles, and the societal pressure on women. In our SOONERCAST episode, Ayla describes the film with one word: "self-determination." This central theme runs like a red thread through the stories of the six protagonists, who talk about personal experiences related to abortion, unwanted pregnancy, sterilization, Regretting Motherhood, and life without children.
Me Time stands out for its honest approach. As the first feature film to deal with the taboo topic Regretting Motherhood, it has sparked many discussions and has been awarded various prizes, including Best Director – Documentary at the Berlin Indie Film Festival and Best Cinematography at the New York International Women Festival.
SOONER Podcast about breaking taboos, self-determination, and the complex relationship between family and gender equality.
In the SOONER podcast, Ayla Yildiz talks about the making of Me Time and why the topic of self-determination is so important to her. She explains how the choice of words – "childless" vs. "child-free" – can greatly influence public perception and why it's important to destigmatize topics like Regretting Motherhood.
Ayla emphasizes that with Me Time, she not only wants to start a debate but also create space for reflection: about the freedoms and rights women should have regarding their own life decisions. Especially in times when conservative voter alignments are increasing, she sees it as necessary to continue strengthening women's self-determination. In addition, Ayla shares her reading recommendations on the topic in the podcast and presents her curated SOONER channel.
