Based on a true story, a social worker (Emily Watson) uncovers one of the most significant social scandals of recent times: the deportation of thousands of children from the United Kingdom to Australia. Children (some as young as 4 years old) who had been told their parents were dead and sent to children's homes on the other side of the world. But the injustice doesn't stop there as horror stories of what was done to them are revealed. Based on the non fiction book EMPTY CRADLES by Margaret Humphreys (played by Watson in the film) and directed by Jim Loach (MEASURE OF A MAN). This shocking scheme was first begun in 1869, largely discontinued in the 1930s but not entirely and not officially discontinued until the 1970s. The movie focuses on the children deported during the 1940s and 1950s. It wasn't until 2010 that the British government officially apologized for their part in this appalling scheme. It's a heartbreaking story and the movie doesn't manipulate the subject matter. Once again, the Catholic church's exploitation and abuse of these kids is horrendous. The strong central performance by Emily Watson gives the film an anchor to hold the movie together. With Hugo Weaving, David Wenham and Richard Dillane.
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