LITTLE GIRL LOST

US, 1987, 97 minutes, Colour.
Tess Harper, Frederic Forest, Sandy Martin, Christopher Mc Donald, Lawrence Pressman, Patricia Kalember.
Directed by Sharron Miller.

Little Girl Lost is an interesting American telemovie, focusing on social and emotional problems. It concerns foster parents (played with great strength by Tess Harper and Frederic Forrest) who have to give up their beloved foster child - whom they may be over-protecting - to her real father. In fact, the father abuses the daughter - and the social workers do not believe the child. The film is strongly emotional in presenting these family scenes. It is also demanding on the audience's emotions when the social workers as well as the judiciary decide in favour of the real father and the child has to go back to him. The repercussions on the child are traumatic.

The film shows ordinary American life, love and affection in the American home. It also shows the limitations of professional social workers and the difficulties of the judiciary to decide justly in such cases.

Worth seeing and discussing.

1.American telemovie? American problems, universal problems? Social environment? Emotions? The courts and justice?

2.The American style of telemovie for the home audience? Adaptation of problems for the widest viewing: families, homes, child abuse, courts?

3.The film based on a true story: legislation, protection, children's rights, parents' rights, parents' duties, the role of social workers, the role of the courts?

4.The picture of Tim and Clara, their loving relationship, family, Kelly growing up and studying, planning to leave home? Their work?

5.Tella and her age, foster child, love, protected? Her tantrums, not wanting to go to her real father, the attitude of the social worker? The question of sexual abuse, Tella's descriptions, the social worker's not believing her?

6.The family, problems, taking Tella to doctors, psychologists, trying to cope, Mrs Young and the social workers?

7.Going to court to claim adoption, the legislation as regards foster parents? The investigations, the dossier? The judge and being caught up in elections? The sympathetic assistants? The hearing, the new judge, both sides, the awarding of Tella to her natural father?

8.Preparation for separation, grief, anger, complying with the court, bewilderment and frustration, keeping her toys in the room for her return?

9.The effect on Tim and Clara? Depression? Avenues of recourse? Lawyers, the advice for the television reporters? Andrea and her interest? Her boss? The pursuit and filming of the programme, the interviews? The effect for Tim and Clara?

10.Andrea, her work, collaboration with Harry, the TV executive and his anger? The playing of the programme? Andrea leaving, the phone call, success?

11.The effect of time, Tella and her growing up, her father's abuse, her new guardian? The decision for the return to Tim and Clara? The changes in her, her shyness, a new beginning, remembering her name, her love for the family?

12.The time indications, the effect on the young girl, her emotions, growing up? Audience insight and judgment on such situations?