'an Audience Award winner at Sundance Film Festival, My Flesh and Blood isn't exactly your standard crowd-pleaser. In turns heart-wrenching and eye-opening, this documentary is one of the year's best. The initial shock value turns into something remarkably life-affirming.' -The Washington Post

Susan Tom has 13 children: two of her own and 11 adopted kids with an array of tragic and life-threatening disabilities. A single mum with minimal government assistance and enormous medical bills, Tom maintains an inspirational household. Even in the face of death, one child's almost toxic rage and the spectre of sexual abuse, the family rallies and overcomes.

'a brood whose disabilities include horrific burns, mental retardation, genetic skin disease, cystic fibrosis and missing limbs, yet whose preternaturally sunny dispositions are, in most cases, enough to make anyone feel guilty complaining about anything ever again. An agonizing and ultimately transcendent cinematic portrait of sacrifice, love and saving grace, an unpretentious and deeply moving film.' -The Washington Post

D Jonathan Karsh P Jennifer Chaiken WS Films Transit International TD 35mm/Col/2003/85mins

Jonathan Karsh's films: My Flesh and Blood (MIFF 2004).