We Are Dad
by Michel Horvat
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DVD Cover Information
Director: Michel HorvatBrand: Ryko Distribution
Cinematographer: Michel Horvat
Editor: Michel Horvat
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 68 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-06-27
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Indie Pictures
Movie Reviews of We Are Dad
Movie Review: Interesting film scores points for gay adoption. Worth seeing.
Summary: 4 Stars
This documentary chronicles an unusual family. Life partners Roger and Steve take into their hearts and home, HIV+ children whom no one else wants. The two men are nurses, which -- along with their dedication and methodical parenting skills -- seems to make them ideally suited for the job. Through the combination of professionally filmed interviews, and home movies that were serendipitously made when the children as infants first came to live with the men (the oldest in the movie is now in his late teens), we see mostly the everyday aspects of their lives: getting the kids dressed for school, counting out their endless pills (each child is on different medications), tucking them in at night. Glimpses of family life are interspersed with some well-placed comments from gay-friendly academics. One of the best parts of the documentary are the outtakes, where religious right folks are talking while humorous captions below point out the folly and flaws in their prejudice.
Interestingly, the male couple are white and the first few children taken into the home are black. When two white boys are later taken in to the home, the other kids express astonishment -- not that they've been living with a gay couple all this time, but that the new additions are white!
The conflict in this film occurs when the state of Florida decides that this collection of people cannot possibly be a "real" family, and that since Bert is no longer HIV+ (thanks to Steve's and Roger's loving ministrations), he's now "good enough" to be farmed out for adoption. Steve and Roger, because of their gay status, are not allowed to adopt children in Florida. The family now lives in Oregon, near a set of loving and accepting grandparents who serve an important role as an extended family. But hanging over their heads is the possibility that Bert can be wrenched from this loving and stable family unit at any time.
Bert is the only child given even a modicum of air time, away from the rest of the family. A sensitive and talented musician, Bert also takes ballet lessons. Although someone in the religious right is quoted as saying that ballet will certainly make Bert gay, in a brief interview Bert says that he loves ballet because he gets to meet so many girls. So much for genderizing culture!
I gave this film 4 instead of 5 stars because one, the children were not filmed talking about their feelings about living in this unusual family. And two, the lone (surviving) girl living in a family of four brothers and two dads was given very little camera time, and there was no analysis of what it's like to be the lone girl in such a household. It would be interesting to see how all the kids turn out in ten years (two of the boys didn't look too happy riding on a float in a gay rights parade) -- and the film focuses more on the work of parenting than on capturing the subjective reactions of the children. However, despite these omissions, the children do appear loved, and it's obvious that this is a "real" family. To legally forbid gays from adopting is foolish, short-sighted, even cruel -- and sad for countless children who need homes. This documentary is definitely worth seeing.
Summary of We Are Dad
Nominated for GLAAD Media Awards 2006 for Best Documentary.2 gay men have raised their 5 HIV positive children for the last 17 years but after being everything to these kids the two Dads are not able to adopt them. Why? Because the State of Florida has a complete ban on gay adoption.Filled with humor and heart this movie is sure entertain amuse and enlighten as it explores all points of view and let s you decide what is RIGHT.The DVD includes deleted scenes that were to brash for TV; The Christian Fundamentalists reveal their true colors in jaw-dropping interviews that must be heard to be believed.EXTRAS: Family Photo Album Featurette / Trailer Deleted / Additional Scenes (20 minutes) Popup commentaryFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre:?DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. UPC:?892686001002 Manufacturer No:?892686001002Documentary DVD Video
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