The Things I Cannot Change

Does anyone have updates, social media links on the family?

I watched this documentary in grade 9 (1979) and it was very powerful. It was my first view of a poor family up close and personal. The original living conditions on St. James West was for lack of better word ..frightening. How could a family live in those conditions? It (the documentary) in our civics class, in case anyone was wondering. The doc. as I said stayed with me. I had made a trip to Montreal for work and took time to go to the original address, it was a garden, all the buildings were gone. Just really wanted to get a sense of the neighbourhood. As you can see on street view it's been 40 years and much change has happened. Anyway, it's weird it was only a few months ago I Google searched the documentary to find the follow up doc. was available on the NFB website. That was interesting to watch, it looks like life got somewhat better for the Bailey's. However, watching the follow up, you discover that many things had went on with several of the children not too mention the parents.

That is my 2 cents. As mentioned if you know any follow up add a review and update me. Thanks!

Watching this documentary was very difficult for me. I saw it years ago and I have never forgotten it. I gave it a 10/10 . As a child coming from a poor family I could relate to this family. For us, there were different poverty issues and family issues but the essence of what poverty looks and feels like was captured here. That was the point of this film. I first saw this with my husband who laughed his head off at the fighting, no food, the kids they kept having and the simpleness of the family in general. I was appalled at him. He had no idea that what he was laughing at made me have a panic attack and I feel sick and ashamed of my childhood. He was fortunate to have not been in that position as a child, I, however could have been one of those children with a father just like Mr B. Until you ever have needed the $6. you have no idea how much it meant to Mr. B to do what he did. This movie brought back horrible memories for me and I felt so bad for the family. But the upside was that it was educational eye opener for my husband and therapeutic for me.I knew I was not alone. I would not change a thing about it and everyone who thinks poverty is easily overcome should see this. It comes in many forms. The title is perfect. It helped me to realize that I should not be embarrassed that I came from a sad situation like that, rather I overcame it and learned not to be ashamed but to change the things I can. I did change and learned not to let that happen to me. God Bless this family and the film makers.

On the 40th Anniversary of its premiere, "The Things I Cannot Change" retains all of its gripping power and sensitivity. I believe it was one of many elements of Canadian society that helped to ignite the demand for justice, equality and social change. While the Bailey family had to have their family life revealed raw, the presentation of their story served a greater good.

The film was a powerful social document in 1967; 40 years later it retains that purpose, but it also now serves as a historical text. I look forward to presenting to my senior high school students in their History classes, as it presents a side of Canada during the Sixties that is often ignored in lieu of Woodstock, Hippies and Expo '67. The scenes shot in Old Montreal (the work gang lines in Place Jacques Cartier) and the rail yards along "St. James Street" in Little Burgundy are wonderful.

I began my teaching career in that neighbourhood in 1973, and taught one of the younger children in my Grade 5 class. The film portrayed the dignity of the family in the face of constant struggles. I wish I could have seen it at the time. It deserves to be considered as a Canadian classic documentary film.