Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Six Weeks

I ran across a trailer for a small little independent film from 2009, and I can't stop thinking about it.   As we've continued on our adoption journey, our eyes have been opened to new things to pray about, that never occurred to me before.  For instance, until you know the medical history when you receive the referral (and sometimes not even then) you can only guess at the circumstances that brought your child to the orphanage.    It's prompted our family to really start praying for the mothers and fathers who will give their child up for adoption (either willingly or by the courts).   This new documentary takes a look at "the other side"....or all sides actually.   I would love to see this film in it's entirety!  Here is the description:

 The six weeks of the title is the period in which parents of newborn babies in Poland can decide to give up a child for adoption. For the mother in this unassuming, intimately shot documentary, the choice is clear. In a letter she leaves behind at the orphanage, she says that she does not have the means to support her child. Her house is too small, she has no hot water, no gas, and the welfare payments are not enough. And no, the child's father doesn't want it, either. The filmmaker is clearly moved by the fate of the babies in the orphanage. The camera zooms in on them so closely, we can count their eyelashes. To help the audience identify with the babies even more, the film is interspersed with scenes in which we see the world from their perspective -- blurred images that emphasize the helplessness and unknowingness of these children who have been given up by their parents. The grief of the mother who has to give away her newborn contrasts starkly with the unconfined joy of the adopting couple when they get their new child. The filmmaker seems to want to show how three lives can be completely transformed in just six weeks.

src="http://idfa.fabflows.com/media/idfa_player.swf?p=90377f3a65662a66ed3109d9d973a74f&languageCode=en"

Click here for the trailer.  After I recovered from my thoughts (and a few tears), it left me wanting more.    Unfortunately, I could not find it available to purchase (or even rent) anywhere in the Internet. However, from what I can tell, the movie, in it's entirety is only 12 + minutes long (is that even possible?!)    I guess maybe if it was filed under "shorts" in the  film category.  Either way, it looks like there are some painful, powerful moments documented which I would like to see.    If someone is able to track it down, I would love to find out where to get it.  

9 comments:

  1. Seems like I've heard of this before on another blog, maybe two or more years ago. If I can figure out where I'll let you know!

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  2. Thanks Kelly. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try the library too. I appreciate the feedback. :)

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  3. Oh my goodness Brooke, this was heartbreaking. I'm SOOO glad you put it on here though because it reminds me of how powerful and painful placing their child is and was. Not that I can't empathize- I just need to pray for these brave women and hope God sends them peace and comfort. Thank you and I'll look for it too.

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  4. I hate to be negative on an adoption blog, but I feel an urge to represent the other side not frequently brought up.

    The side of biological parents I don't care about, don't want to care, and wish they were never allowed to reproduce.

    The abusive parents that already had one child removed from their home due to abuse and neglect and continued to have babies so they can continue to abuse and neglect more.

    Even if I were a religious person, I would not have prayed for them. Maybe I'd pray for the Polish Authorities to just lock them up for good and not allow them to procreate. But I refuse to pray for the lives of people who destroyed my kids lives and future by choosing to drink alcohol during pregnancy, and by choosing to beat a 1 year old, 2 year old and 4 year old with an axe, repeatedly, every day of their lives at this home.

    I have no empathy for those parents. Sorry. They deserve none.

    Yes, I'm frustrated. Frustrated when I read articles in the Adoption magazine about Open adoptions and how important it is maintain a "positive" view of the biological parents.

    It's not all positive. It's not always the movie making feel-good life when it comes to adoption.

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  5. Thanks for sharing Brooke. I'm praying for everyone, most of all for our hopefully-children-to-be.

    To answer your previous question, we haven't yet decided whether we will try for a biological child . The only thing we have decided to date is that this won't be our last adoption! :)

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  6. Brooke,

    Thanks for sharing - I will try to see of this movie is available anywhere in Poland.

    It is on DVD for sure, but I am not sure if it is available for sale.

    Gosia :-)

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  7. I haven't clicked on the link yet, but I am anticipating a wonderful film. Thank you for finding it and sharing it.

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  8. I just heard back from Poland, and it appears that this DVD is not for sale, it was made as promo DVD only :-(

    but I am still looking .....

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  9. Many thanks Gosia. I appreciate you taking the time to look. It's too bad it's not available for purchase, the trailer looks very compelling. Thank you for your feedback!

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