Refrigerator Mothers

2002, 60 minutes

Refrigerator Mothers
Refrigerator Mothers

It is America of the 1950s and 1960s, when a woman's most important contribution to society is generally considered to be her ability to raise happy, well-adjusted children. But for the mother whose child is diagnosed with autism, her life's purpose will soon become a twisted nightmare. Looking for help and support, she encounters instead a medical establishment that pins the blame for her child's bizarre behaviors on her supposedly frigid and detached mothering. Along with a heartbreaking label for her child, she receives a devastating label of her own. She is a "refrigerator mother".

Refrigerator Mothers paints an intimate portrait of an entire generation of mothers, already laden with the challenge of raising profoundly disordered children, who lived for years under the dehumanizing shadow of professionally promoted "mother blame."

Once isolated and unheard, these mothers have emerged with strong, resilient voices to share the details of their personal journeys. Through their poignant stories, Refrigerator Mothers puts a human face on what can happen when authority goes unquestioned and humanity is removed from the search for scientific answers.

Visit the PBS POV web site for the film.

Comments

October 24, 2010 - 9:42am

ivette

the scientific still no found de core for our children now is 2010 but I hope some day by.

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A Good Man launches Oak Park "Films for $5ive" series

January 9, 2012

Several Kartemquin documentaries will be part of a new "Films for $5ive" documentary screening series at the Madison Street Theatre in Oak Park, Illinois, starting next Friday, January 13th at 7pm with A Good Man. The film's Associate Producer Rachel Pikelny will attend the screening.
 
The nine-week “Films for $5ive” series will feature 4 screenings each weekend:  Friday nights at 7pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday afternoons at 2pm.  Each weekend will feature 2 films, each of which will screen twice, with each weekend’s films focusing loosely on a global theme and offering different perspectives.  As often as schedules will allow, the directors, producers and others involved in the making of the films will be present to discuss their work following each event.

Filmmakers

Director
David E. Simpson
Producer
JJ Hanley
Co-Producers
David E. Simpson
Gordon Quinn

Distinctions

First Place
National Association on Mental Retardation Media Awards (now known as American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD))
2003
Achievement Award
Superfest
2003
Best Documentary
Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona Arizona
2002
First Prize
Media Awards Competition, National Council on Family Relations
2002
Grand Jury Prize
Florida Film Festival
2002

Press

"Editor's choice. An outstanding, thought-provoking title that, while uncovering a sad chapter in medical history, also raises awareness of ethical issues surrounding medical research in a sensitive, empathetic manner, this is highly recommended."

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