First Circle

While each states abides by a different set of rules regarding child welfare, this film set in Idaho and Eastern Oregon provides an accurate non-biased glimpse into the foster care system. This movie provides glimpses into the requirements to be a foster parent, the removal process and the struggle that many parents face to stay clean and complete their case plans. As the children in this film wait in limbo living with relatives, one parent or the other, or in foster homes we see that the true victims of a broken system and addicted parents are the children. The desire to be clean for their children is outweighed by the disease for some while others succeed and are reunited with their children. This movie is a must see.

The documentary follows several families that deal with the foster care system. The movie looks at how the system affects not only the children, but the offenders, the survivors, the recovered, the extended family, and those who are simply trying to help, from the recently divorced mother who becomes a foster care parent the the police woman who must act as a social worker to ensure the safety of all. The documentary is not slow moving at all. No particular message is preached, and it is not just a tale of a few families, but a message about the whole foster care system. I found the documentary very moving, well-written, and sensitive tot he plights of all involved.