Big Mama Documentary Analysis – Tracy Seretean, filmmaker
The 2000 documentary Big Mama covers an 18-month span chronicling the battle an 89-year-old grandmother, Viola, has in keeping her grandson, Walter, out of the foster care program. Walter’s mother was an addict who delivered him while she was under the influence, only to disappear completely from his life shortly after. Subsequently, while on his deathbed, Walter’s father, begged his mother to take care of Walter, though it would seem that Viola was unable to secure custody of Walter immediately following the death of her son. Inspiration for the documentary came from journalist Erin Texeira who wrote that Viola struggled to obtain custody of, the then four-year-old Walter after he “had …show more content…
The immediate indication is their race as African Americans living in South Central Los Angeles. Additionally, an aging grandmother raising her grandson tends to carry a stigma, since grandparents as primary caregivers is often due to substance abuse or incarceration of the child’s parents. This is only partly true in Walter’s case. Walter was fortunate to have his grandmother and some extended family to take care of him following the alleged neglect he suffered within the foster care system. Walter’s Aunt even discussed how important it was to Viola that Walter not “fall through the cracks” of the welfare …show more content…
For example, aside from perhaps two situations, viewers were unable to see the effect everything had on Walter. His feelings, and what was going on in his mind were not discussed and no inquiry was made to that effect. On the surface, he appears as a happy, well-enough adjusted 9-year-old boy, and although burning down his home is an egregious action, viewers are left to speculate as to why. Why would he do such a thing after his grandmother suffered a heart attack? Failing to discuss the effects of prenatal drug use and the various loss Walter was exposed to leaves out a significant part to his story. He is referred to as “very disturbed,” and “violent and enraged” although there is no effort taken to try to explain
The 2000 documentary Big Mama covers an 18-month span chronicling the battle an 89-year-old grandmother, Viola, has in keeping her grandson, Walter, out of the foster care program. Walter’s mother was an addict who delivered him while she was under the influence, only to disappear completely from his life shortly after. Subsequently, while on his deathbed, Walter’s father, begged his mother to take care of Walter, though it would seem that Viola was unable to secure custody of Walter immediately following the death of her son. Inspiration for the documentary came from journalist Erin Texeira who wrote that Viola struggled to obtain custody of, the then four-year-old Walter after he “had …show more content…
The immediate indication is their race as African Americans living in South Central Los Angeles. Additionally, an aging grandmother raising her grandson tends to carry a stigma, since grandparents as primary caregivers is often due to substance abuse or incarceration of the child’s parents. This is only partly true in Walter’s case. Walter was fortunate to have his grandmother and some extended family to take care of him following the alleged neglect he suffered within the foster care system. Walter’s Aunt even discussed how important it was to Viola that Walter not “fall through the cracks” of the welfare …show more content…
For example, aside from perhaps two situations, viewers were unable to see the effect everything had on Walter. His feelings, and what was going on in his mind were not discussed and no inquiry was made to that effect. On the surface, he appears as a happy, well-enough adjusted 9-year-old boy, and although burning down his home is an egregious action, viewers are left to speculate as to why. Why would he do such a thing after his grandmother suffered a heart attack? Failing to discuss the effects of prenatal drug use and the various loss Walter was exposed to leaves out a significant part to his story. He is referred to as “very disturbed,” and “violent and enraged” although there is no effort taken to try to explain