Oranges and Sunshine (UK/Australia, 2010)

Aichi Insurance Physicians’ Newspaper

Films such as Amistad and Roots portrayed the hardships of those who were sold into slavery from Africa to the United States. Japan, too, has a history of immigration policies, such as the emigration to Brazil and the Manchurian-Mongolian Pioneer groups. This film exposes the horrifying immigration policy once executed by the British Empire, which dominated the world from the 16th to the 20th century. That policy involved separating children from their parents and sending them in groups to colonies 16,000 kilometers away.

Some argue that defeats suffered by Britain and Australia at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army during the Fifteen-Year War (1931–1945) further accelerated this policy of child migration. This film tells the story of Margaret, a British social worker, who uncovered the truth behind what has been called modern Britain’s greatest scandal: “child migration.” One day, a woman from Australia visits Margaret, saying, “Please help me find my mother. I was sent to Australia by ship when I was a child.” This encounter prompts Margaret to investigate, eventually uncovering shocking truths. Despite threats from powerful organizations fearful of having their dark pasts exposed, she begins the search for the woman’s mother and for other victims of the same fate. Her tireless and methodical work as a social worker gradually bears fruit.

The total number of children sent overseas through Britain’s child migration scheme—carried out from the 17th century until as late as 1970—reaches 130,000. Thanks to the efforts of this one social worker, both the British and Australian governments officially issued apologies.

No matter how old we become, the one we yearn for most deeply from childhood is our mother. This film poses profound questions about identity and roots.