On January 26th, 2023 the Self Advocacy Federation hosted a free screening of Unloved: The Forgotten Children of Huronia. A film by filmmaker Barri Cohen. Following the film, there was a panel discussion.
Summary:
Filmmaker Barri Cohen leads part detective story, part social history in UNLOVED - HURONIA’S FORGOTTEN CHILDREN as she uncovers the truth about Alfie and Louis, her two long-dead half-brothers. They were institutionalized at the Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia in the 1950s, with one brother unceremoniously buried in secret in an unmarked grave as a small child. Their lives were cut short, but their story stands as a microcosm of the immense tragedy of the western world’s 20th century disastrous treatment of intellectually disabled children and youth. Through the interwoven narratives of a POV family story with critical institution survivors, a question preoccupies the film: how do we allow ourselves to dehumanize the most vulnerable people in our care? UNLOVED - HURONIA’S FORGOTTEN CHILDREN is a heartbreaking yet redemptive work that moves outwards from a highly personal and painful family secret to an investigation of hidden, searing truths about an entire government-enabled system of institutional cruelty and ugliness against vulnerable children. Yet, humanity is hopefully restored by assembling community and survivor testimony, along with the filmmaker’s insistence that these experiences be fully recognized and memorialized.
Summary:
Filmmaker Barri Cohen leads part detective story, part social history in UNLOVED - HURONIA’S FORGOTTEN CHILDREN as she uncovers the truth about Alfie and Louis, her two long-dead half-brothers. They were institutionalized at the Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia in the 1950s, with one brother unceremoniously buried in secret in an unmarked grave as a small child. Their lives were cut short, but their story stands as a microcosm of the immense tragedy of the western world’s 20th century disastrous treatment of intellectually disabled children and youth. Through the interwoven narratives of a POV family story with critical institution survivors, a question preoccupies the film: how do we allow ourselves to dehumanize the most vulnerable people in our care? UNLOVED - HURONIA’S FORGOTTEN CHILDREN is a heartbreaking yet redemptive work that moves outwards from a highly personal and painful family secret to an investigation of hidden, searing truths about an entire government-enabled system of institutional cruelty and ugliness against vulnerable children. Yet, humanity is hopefully restored by assembling community and survivor testimony, along with the filmmaker’s insistence that these experiences be fully recognized and memorialized.
We would like to thank our panelists, Roy Sorento, Lorna Lillo and David McConnell. As well as Nicola Fairbrother for moderating.! If you missed the screening, be sure to check out the film on CBC Gem! It premieres on January 29th, 2023. Click HERE to learn more about the film and see the trailer!
