Where Are My Children (1916)
In the National Film Registry
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1h 4m
DA crusades abortion, blind to wife's secret. Tragedy unfolds, forcing choices.
Where Are My Children, a thought-provoking 1916 silent film by Lois Weber and Phillips Smalley, explores a controversial social issue — abortion — in a way unseen before.
While some silent films used didactic intertitles, Where Are My Children utilizes innovative techniques to convey its message. Superimpositions and dreamlike sequences depict the emotional cost of abortion, while symbolic imagery adds depth to the narrative.
Beyond its subject matter, the film experiments with narrative structure. It weaves together the story of a lawyer prosecuting an abortion doctor with the personal struggles of his own wife. This fractured approach challenges audiences to engage actively, piecing together the film's message.
Where Are My Children's influence extends beyond its social commentary. Its innovative use of visual storytelling techniques like superimpositions and dream sequences paved the way for future filmmakers to explore the expressive potential of cinema. The film stands as a testament to the power of silent film to tackle complex social issues and experiment with narrative form.
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