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A Kind of Family

1992 53 min
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This feature documentary tells the complex and touching story of Winnipeg city councilor Glen Murray and his 17-year-old adopted son Mike, whose struggles with addiction and behavioural problems cyclically repeat. Glen, now an Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament, was one of the first openly gay elected politicians in Canada. He adopted Mike during an era when homophobic stereotypes often prevented gay men and women from adopting children. Glen and Mike's relationship is always tenuous and always turbulent as they struggle to define themselves together and alone.

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A Kind of Family

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This feature documentary tells the complex and touching story of Winnipeg city councilor Glen Murray and his 17-year-old adopted son Mike, whose struggles with addiction and behavioural problems cyclically repeat. Glen, now an Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament, was one of the first openly gay elected politicians in Canada. He adopted Mike during an era when homophobic stereotypes often prevented gay men and women from adopting children. Glen and Mike's relationship is always tenuous and always turbulent as they struggle to define themselves together and alone.
  • director
    Andrew Koster
  • producer
    Joe MacDonald
  • executive producer
    Ches Yetman
  • script
    Bob Lower
  • cinematography
    Charles Konowal
  • sound
    Norman Dugas
  • music
    Norman Dugas
  • editing
    Kelly Saxberg
  • sound editing
    Gloria Thorsteinson
    Clive Perry
  • re-recording
    Jean-Pierre Joutel
    Shelley Craig
  • narrator
    Glen Murray

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Education

Ages 16 to 18
School subjects

A family of orientation refers to the family into which someone is born. A family of procreation describes one that is formed through marriage. How can one describe Glenn and Mike’s family? Mike’s many external issues with drug use, poverty and homelessness become barriers to moving ahead with his life. Discuss how his foster father is able to support him through these circumstances. In your own community, what services are available to homeless or street-involved youth? What services do they provide?

A Kind of Family
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