Plot
Set in 1980s Nottingham, social worker Margaret Humphreys holds the British government accountable for child migration schemes and reunite the children involved -- now adults living mostly in Australia -- with their parents in Britain.

Release Year: 2010

Rating: 7.1/10 (1,293 voted)

Critic's Score: 60/100

Director: Jim Loach

Stars: Hugo Weaving, Emily Watson, David Wenham

Storyline
Set in 1980s Nottingham, social worker Margaret Humphreys holds the British government accountable for child migration schemes and reunite the children involved -- now adults living mostly in Australia -- with their parents in Britain.

Writers: Rona Munro, Margaret Humphreys

Cast:
Hugo Weaving - Jack
Emily Watson - Margaret Humphreys
David Wenham - Len
Tara Morice - Pauline
Aisling Loftus - Susie
Stuart Wolfenden - Bill
Lorraine Ashbourne - Nicky
Clayton Watson - CM (voice)
Geoff Morrell - Walter
Richard Dillane - Merv
Molly Windsor -
Russell Dykstra - Dan
Kate Box - Radio studio receptionist
Neil Pigot -
Greg Stone - Bob

Taglines: A Tragedy That Spanned Decades - A Love That Crossed Continents - A Triumph That Changed Two Nations

Official Website: Official site | Official site [Japan] |

Release Date: 1 April 2011

Filming Locations: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Box Office Details

Budget: $4,500,000 (estimated)

Gross: AUD 3,848,275 (Australia) (31 October 2011)

The acidic truth of Oranges and Sunshine....

Rating: 9/10

I caught this film as part of the Glasgow Film Festival and I'm glad that I did. Knowing very little of the story about the the organised deportation of children in care from the United Kingdom to Australia, I found much of this film was shocking and upsetting. This film concentrates on Margaret Humphrys, the social worker who uncovers this scandal. Under her own steam and then with the support of her employer, Margaret discovers that more than just a few children were deported. She makes it her mission to help those deportees who wish to find out about the families they were forced to leave behind. This proves to be no easy task as the British government stonewall her and provide no help with the details of the deportees or their families. No deliberate attempt is made to overplay the injustice or high emotions running through the story; it is told in a simple, straightforward and affecting manner and it is all the more powerful for that. Take some time out and go and see this film as it's one that deserves a wide audience and stay to the end as that's when the viewer finds out when an apology for this very sad situation was given.

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