How Bassam Tariq Built ‘Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother’ Out of the Ashes of ‘Blade’

Bassam Tariq Kept the Faith After the ‘Failure’ of Blade

Director Bassam Tariq felt like a ‘failure’ after his Mahershala Ali–starring take on ‘Blade’ fell apart — until he made something better: the exceptional ‘Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,’ also starring Ali.

How Bassam Tariq Built ‘Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother’ Out of the Ashes of ‘Blade’

It all starts with breast milk. Director Bassam Tariq was excited about fatherhood. But when his first child was born in 2012, what was supposed to be a joyous new experience quickly turned daunting after his wife was hospitalized. A newborn is already difficult — try feeding one separated from his mother and allergic to formula. “People thought I was a pervert. I was calling places, like ‘I’ll buy breast milk from you if you have it,” Tariq t…