SPLIT: Divorce and the EARLY Years

A Film about Divorce – through Kids’ Eyes
by
Year Released
2013
Film Length(s)
30 mins
Closed captioning available
Remote video URL

Introduction

Split is a candid, poignant, and often humorous film about kids and divorce made exclusively from the point of view of the children...no adults, no experts...just kids speaking the powerful truth of what is on their minds and in their hearts.

Featured review

Split provides the points of view of kids only; a wise editorial choice that allows the kids' comments to resonate without being tempered by the perspective of parents or family counseling experts. The ethnically-diverse cast of kids ranges in age from six to twelve and they very candidly share their experiences, their fears, their pain, and ultimately, their hopes for the future. It's all heart-wrenching and illuminating at the very same time - heart-wrenching because the kids are so matter-of-fact about the upheaval they've experienced, and yet illuminating because they can clearly communicate their fears and their needs, providing a roadmap for adults who want to help and a portal to broach important conversations.
Parent's Choice Foundation - Gold Medal Winner

Reviews

Gr 1-6--This excellent film shows a diverse group of children aged 6-12 in all of their vulnerability and strength. They are on-camera individually responding to questions or prompts that viewers don't hear. Brightly colored animation draws the audience in and helps to explain what the children are saying. The animation divides each of the discussion points that are touched on, such as families (of all kinds), change, feelings, wondering why the divorce happened, stuck in the middle, being shuttled back and forth between parents, and more. Almost all of the children exhibit a maturity about being a child of divorce, with comments like nobody's perfect, nothing is perfect or it's like when something you love breaks. Some of the kids are still processing the divorce, while others seem to have adapted. Occasionally it is obvious that counseling has been part of the process. This very well done film can be used by children and their parents as a discussion starter, or by counselors working with individual children or groups.
Ann Brownson, Eastern Illinois University
School Library Journal

Awards and Screenings

Gold Medal Award - Parents Choice Foundation, 2014
Best Documentary Nomination - Taiwan International Children's Film Festival, 2014

Features and Languages

Film Features

  • Closed Captioning
  • Subtitles
  • Transcript
  • Resources for Educators

Subtitle/Caption Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Promotional Material

Promotional Stills

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