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Movie Info & Details
Release Year1983
Runtime0h 57m
LanguageEnglish
CertificationNR
GenresDocumentary
Votes15
DirectorAra Chekmayan, Richard Kotuk
WritersAra Chekmayan, Richard Kotuk
TypeFeature Film
Rating7.0 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsChildren of Darkness
About Children of Darkness
A significant number of American children and teenagers - from all social backgrounds - suffer from mental disorders, schizophrenia, autism and emotional problems, leading them to isolation from society while treating their issues in mental health facilities. But there's no end in sight for those young individuals when they face obstacles and mistreatment in inadequate places under the supervision of careless and inexperienced professionals. The documentary follows some of those public mental institutions and another private center dealing with troubled kids and reveals what's wrong with their procedures, and the irreparable harm they cause in those patients.
Directed by Ara Chekmayan, Richard Kotuk, Children of Darkness leans on a strong ensemble — Peter Thomas, Richard Kotuk, John Brooks — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 1983.
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