Skradzione dzieci

As "Stolen Children" (2025 release from Poland; 98 min.; original title "Skradzione dzieci") opens, we are introduced to Tamuna, an investigative reporter in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. When her mother passed away, Tamuna stumbles upon some documents that do not correlate with what she had been told (different birthday, etc.) Tamuna decides to deg deeper, and finds out that that she somehow was adopted. At this point we are 10 minutes into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is co-directed by 2 Polish women, who shine the light onto the astonishing and of course shameful and illegal scheme that existed for DECADES where unsuspecting parents were told that their newborn baby has died and had to be buried right away, only to then sell the newborn baby to the highest bidder. Apparently everyone (doctors, nurses, administrators, local officials, etc.) was involved in this wise-scale trafficking of newborns in Georgia. There are no words. Major kudos to Tamuna for her years-long efforts to dig into this and expose the scheme.

"Stolen Children" is currently airing on HBO Max which had recommended it to me based on my viewing habits. Thanks HBO! If you are in the mood for a top-notch documentary about a horrible trafficking scheme of newborns, I's readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.