When the Bough Breaks

Three Missouri families explore what happens to children when their mothers are incarcerated for nonviolent crimes over the course of a year.

Premiere Date
October 1, 2001
Length
60 minutes
Funding Initiative
Open Call
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2001 Carolina Film & Video Festival-First Prize, Documentary
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2001 American Film Institute-Finalist, AFI/DV Festival
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    2001 Athens International Film and Video Festival-Finalist
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2001 CINE/Eastman Kodak Funding Panel-Golden Eagle Award
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    2001 Women in the Director’s Chair Film Festival-Selection
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2002 Midwest Emmy Awards-Best Documentary
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    Director

    Deeds Rogers

    Producer

    Jill Evans Petzall

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    The Film

    It has been said that when you imprison a woman, you incarcerate a family — but what really happens to children when their mothers are incarcerated? When the Bough Breaks explores the emotional impact on children in three Missouri families whose mothers are locked up for nonviolent crimes. The children tell their diverse stories as they are bounced among social workers, foster parents, grandparents, and visits with their mothers in prison. As they lay bare their longings and remarkable strengths, it becomes clear that they are also punished for their mothers' offenses.

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