Empire Online

February 14, 2011

Cinema has always been fond of policemen, firefighters and nurses, but social workers have been largely ignored on the big screen to date. Well, not anymore: Oranges And Sunshine is the story of Margaret Humphreys, a Nottingham social worker who uncovered a massive scandal that shook two countries.

Played by Emily Watson, Humphreys began an investigation into the Home Children programme, which involved shipping British children in care overseas to save the government money in maintenance. The policy affected thousands of children, many of whom were told their parents had died (while the parents were told they had been adopted), and some of whom faced abuse and hard labour instead of the promised oranges and sunshine.

 

We know what you're thinking: ouch. The trailer's one of those efforts that might cause a lump in the throat all on its own (see also: A Mighty Heart), so approach with caution, but the story does look like powerful stuff. The film's directed by Jim Loach, and also stars David Wenham and Hugo Weaving. Oranges And Sunshine is out here on April 1.