My Flesh and Blood (2003)

Documentary following Susan Tom of Fairfield, California and her 11 adopted special needs children.

Director:

Jonathan Karsh

Stars:

Susan Tom, Anthony Tom, Faith Tom

8 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Anthony Tom	...	Self
Faith Tom	...	Self
Joe Tom	...	Self
Margaret Tom	...	Self
Susan Tom	...	Self
Xenia Tom	...	Self

Storyline

Susan Tom of Fairfield, CA, is not a typical single mother -- Tom is the head of a family of 11 adopted children, all of whom are physically challenged or living with long-term illnesses. Tom and her special family are the subject of My Flesh and Blood, a documentary which examines the dynamic of this household, as well as the often demanding physical and emotional needs of the 11 kids and the heavy emotional burden Tom must sometimes carry as she looks after children who may not survive to adulthood.

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Plot Keywords:

single mother | california | wheelchair | swimming | swimming pool | 

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Taglines:

Who says you can't choose your family?

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Susan Tom insisted that filming last no longer than exactly one year, to the day. The final scene in the film, Anthony's birthday party, happened to take place on the very last day of permitted filming.

User Reviews

I can't believe Susan Tom is an exploiter

One previous review named inktastesbitter accused Susan Tom of exploiting the foster-care system and being in it for the money. I can't believe this. There are many, far easier ways to make money than having a 24/7 job caring for special needs kids. We can speculate whether Ms. Tom is, in caring for so many children, trying to fill some unanswered psychological need of hers. But that is surely pointless since the good she is doing seems to me undeniable.

This is a marvelous, provocative film that deserves the widest audience possible. I am a college professor of philosophy. "The human condition" is of course one of the subjects of philosophy; I show this film to my students for all its insights into the joys, challenges, and heartbreaks of the human condition

Details

Official Sites:

Chaiken Films HBO

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 January 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ces enfants que j'ai choisis

Filming Locations:

Fairfield, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,763, 30 November 2003

Gross USA:

$40,573

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$40,573

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chaiken Films, Cinemax, Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Color:

Color