Our Father
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Based on 2 reviews
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Our Father
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Our Father is a documentary about Dr. Donald Cline, a fertility physician, married dad, philanthropist, and church elder who is accused of illegally inseminating women with his sperm at his Indianapolis, Indiana office. References and images include a syringe with sperm inserted into a woman's vagina, sexual misconduct and rape allegations, masturbation, online threats, harassing phone calls, guns, a child getting hit by a car and dying, bottles of prescription drugs, and smoking. Swear words include "bulls--t," "f--ked up," "f--king," "hell," and "s--t." Positive messages include the importance of seeking the truth, righting what may be wrong, and finding the strength to carry on in the face of adversity.
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What's the Story?
In OUR FATHER, Dr. Donald Cline is a real-life, respected fertility specialist for women. Decades later, Jacoba Ballard, the daughter of one of his clients, takes an ancestry test and is surprised by the results. Ballard begins an extensive investigation into Cline's office practices and procedures and believes the doctor may have inseminated patients with his sperm without their consent. The film features reenacted scenes from actual events and court recordings and firsthand accounts from Ballard and several of the more than 90 half-siblings who go on their quest to seek the truth. Initially, Cline denies the accusations made against him and states that "I can emphatically say that at no time did I ever use my own sample."
Is It Any Good?
Director Lucie Jourdan shares a startling and prolific portrait of a horrific chapter in the history of women's healthcare. "Growing up, I felt different," recalls Jacoba Ballard in Our Father. "I'm this blonde-haired, blue-eyed person in a family with dark hair, olive skin, and dark eyes. So I kept asking my mom if I was adopted…you can tell me. It will be OK." The child's mom, Debbie Pierce, reveals the truth and Ballard admits that "I've known since the age of 10 that I was from a donor sperm." Adds Pierce, "She's my everything. I love that child more than life itself."
This child, however, would later find out as an adult a shocking revelation about her relatives. At 35, Ballard takes a DNA test "because I figured that I had one or two siblings," but eventually discovers that there are nearly 100 half-siblings and counting. Several of the siblings don't understand why this could have happened and even develop a conspiracy theory about Cline, alleging that the doctor may have been a member of a cult aiming to have as many White children as possible born so that the race doesn't disappear. Our Father is a worthy and riveting watch about an episode in the field of medicine that is sadly an all-too-real one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the courage of Jacoba Ballard in Our Father. How does Ballard and the cast demonstrate communication , perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
In a TV talk show segment seen in the film, the audience is asked how would they feel if their mother's fertility doctor was actually their biological father. How would you react to this question? Why?
In the documentary, people with a family history of medical issues are generally seen as not good sperm donor candidates. Do you believe this is fair? Why or why not?
What do you think of the legal system's verdict in the Dr. Donald Cline case? Was justice served? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: May 11, 2022
- Cast: Keith Boyle, Jacoba Ballard, Angela Ganote
- Director: Lucie Jourdan
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Activism, Brothers and Sisters, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Communication, Courage, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 97 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: May 10, 2022
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