Family Portrait in Black and White: movie review

The story of a Ukrainian woman who has raised more than 20 foster children is fascinatingly told.

Protagonist Olga Nenya, who has raised 23 foster children, comes across as a martinet Mother Goose.

Courtesy of Sundance Film Festival

July 13, 2012

Olga Nenya has single-handedly raised 23 foster children in her native Ukraine, 16 of which are the biracial offspring of visiting African students and Ukrainian women.

Ostracized by the community at large, these kids are kept in line by Olga, who comes across as a martinet Mother Goose.

Director Julia Ivanova doesn’t soft-pedal Olga’s iron will but, with this many kids and so much unruliness, our sympathies are torn.

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It's a fascinating story, fascinatingly told.

Grade: B+ (Not rated.)