Oranges and Sunshine

Hugo Weaving and David Wenham in ‘Oranges and Sunshine’

Karen Silkwood and Erin Brokervich are two feisty, independent women with strong political and social consciences who have had made movies made in honour of them. Now add dedicated British social worker Margaret Humphreys to the list with the new film, ‘Oranges and Sunshine’.

Humphreys exposed the British Governments policy during the 1940’s and 1950’s of deporting 130,000 children in care to the colonies, in particular Australia, sometimes without even their parents knowledge.

In Australia, many of the children were taken in under the care of the Christian Brothers. Esteemed British film director Ken Loach’s son Jim Loach directs the film with Emily Watson giving a strong performance as Humphreys. Two of Australia’s finest actors, David Wenham and Hugo Weaving, impress as the two main characters whose childhoods were transformed by Government policy.

‘Oranges and Sunshine’ was a powerful documentary featuring strong performances, a great score by Lisa Gerrard, and some evocative cinematography by Denson Baker.