Why Can't We Be a Family Again?

An Academy Award-nominated cinema vérité portrait of the bond that develops between two brothers who long to be reunited with their mother, who is waging an agonizing battle with crack addiction.

Film Signature Image
Series
Independent Lens
Premiere Date
January 27, 2004
Length
30 minutes
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2002 WorldFest - Houston International Film Festival-Bronze Remi Award
  • Nominated laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2002 Academy Awards-Best Documentary Short
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2002 CINE/Eastman Kodak Funding Panel-Golden Eagle
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2002 IMAGE: Atlanta Film & Video Festival-Best Documentary Short
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2002 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival-1st Place in Documentary Category
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2002 The Film Council of Greater Columbus-The Chris Award
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2002 Philadelphia International Film Festival and Market-Leigh Whipper Gold Award Winner, 1st Place in Documentary Category
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2003 Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee-Best Short Documentary
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2003 RiverRun Int’l Film Festival-Best Documentary Short
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2003 Council On Foundations-Henry Hampton Award for Excellence in Film and Digital Media
  • Award laurels-r Created with Sketch.
    2003 Santa Cruz Film Festival-Director's Honorable Mention
    • Show morefewer awards
    Producer

    Roger Weisberg

    Producer

    Murray Nossel

    We fund untold stories for public media.

    Learn more about funding opportunities with ITVS.

    MORE INFO

    The Film

    Raised by their grandmother, young Raymond and Danny continue to hold out hope for their mother's recovery from drug addiction — even after she's given up hope herself. This Academy Award–nominated cinema verité portrait explores the strength and love that bring together two brothers who long to be reunited with their mother.

    Topics