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Family Portrait in Black and White: movie review

The story of a Ukrainian woman who has raised more than 20 foster children is fascinatingly told.

By Peter RainerFilm critic / July 13, 2012

Protagonist Olga Nenya, who has raised 23 foster children, comes across as a martinet Mother Goose.

Courtesy of Sundance Film Festival

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Olga Nenya has single-handedly raised 23 foster children in her native Ukraine, 16 of which are the biracial offspring of visiting African students and Ukrainian women.

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Ostracized by the community at large, these kids are kept in line by Olga, who comes across as a martinet Mother Goose.

Director Julia Ivanova doesn’t soft-pedal Olga’s iron will but, with this many kids and so much unruliness, our sympathies are torn.

It's a fascinating story, fascinatingly told.

Grade: B+ (Not rated.)

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