The Watershed

[poodlesusan]

neither of the parents willing to even try to identify with their children's emotions, can only say "I lost a part of them", or "you don't care about ME" . someone else noticed the father's comment at the end. sickening. he didn't do a thing for them after walking out, and he blames them for not loving him enough? and no one made him marry that woman. what a loser.

[barrenground]

Film somewhat disappointing. Did not live up to the description. Compared to the father, the mother had more reason to behave the way she did. Film too simplistic. Grown children's commentary shows lack of understanding of mother and of what it is like to be a parent.

[drhibbs06]

Vilifying either parent is wrong. I find it hard to excuse the mother and place all the blame on the father. Yes the father was a jerk who left his family for another woman, but the mother wasn't exactly perfect either. If the marriage wasn't working and needed to end... Divorce is far less damaging to children than a false disfunctional marriage. Better he got out early than when the kids were in their teenage years where the damage would have been more severe.

[tight2def]

And yes, I know they don't really like their dad either, however, I don't feel their mother did anything drastic to them for them to harbor any such ill will against her, unless it did not get documented in this film. Yet, you give the coward that walked out of your lives softer feelings. They clearly dislike their mother more, and I think it's completely unfair.

[tight2def]

The dad is such a self-loving jackass. I don't understand why these children placed so much dislike on their mother. She was depressed, and all you can think to blame is her? This coward left her with 7 children to fuck another woman, in the claim that he never loved her. How much of an ass can one be to impregnate someone 7 times and not love them. They need to really redirect their ill will and realize who was really there for them the best she could offer, while their "dad" was nonexistent.

[savdavid]

What a whiny bunch. Life is not easy for most of us. Please shut up and get on with your life. geez.......

[knight3176]

at least the kids are law abiding citizens. looks like they had a better life then what me and my 6 sisters had. tough parents make strong kids. they need not be ungrateful and apreciate the life they was given.

[OldMcDonald07]

Men always leave. It's sad...but it's true.

[56red5656]

This man is such a jerk!!! If he didn't want that many kids, he should have not gotten married. I feel for the mom and those kids. That dad should have stepped up to the plate, but didn't. I had similar problems last summer with my husband stepping up to the plate. It just didn't happen!

[jimmiepickles]

I have watched this doc. several times now and think it is fantastic, beautifully told. Poignant stories such as this can be found among many families but are rarely documented. Bravo.

[imaginashawn]

OK, did I miss something? Were the kids beaten? Sexually abused? Was anyone killed? Ya they were crappy parents but unfortunately, that's not unusual. Actually, there are far worse parents both then and today. This is why we need parenting classes in the public schools. Never going to change otherwise.

[brainjesus]

hahaha you have a lot of faith in public schools...

[imaginashawn]

No, I don't. But something is better than nothing in this case.

[imaginashawn]

@brainjesus wrong again. I'm suggesting improvement for the schools.

[BrandonAHjr]

The comment from the dad at the end of the movie pissed me off! He in a sense tried to shift blame onto the kids for not making him feel loved and had the nerve to say that he gave them love. I have a mother where it's a role reversal type of situation also. I'm expected to show the love and get nothing in return. He really makes me sick.

[Furnifur]

I really enjoyed this look into another families upbringing from all sides. very in depth.

thanks for posting! It's beautiful but I'm sitll watching

[AppaJohn]

Thanks Mary! Keiko and I watched Watershed again the other night. I was reminded once again of the importance of parenting, but also that humans of all ages have resourceful hearts and can work together in love to digest even almost unimaginable problems. Thank you for your courage and honesty to bring this highly personal story to the public arena that we too can reflect and help digest this and even more horrendous realities. There is nothing that honest tears can not accomplish!

[billielynnparker]

Watershed is one of the best docs of the last decade. I have seen it a few times and am still moved and transformed with every viewing. Thank you to Mary and the whole Trunk family for bringing this difficult and delicate work forward...

[1divaaa]

marriage is hell

[erlover100]

The mother has a weird voice.

[Doreen075]

probably from her smoking for so many years

[imaginashawn]

long term smoking does that to some women.

[sbmoni4]

This film is awesome! It tells everyone's point of view in such an honest way. It is an uplifting story of family hidden within a tragic experience. I love the use of old family movies and new footage. Beautifully edited! I am amazed at how well the film maker could get such honest responses out of family members and subtly give her own narrative through the composition of the film.

[mediamadman747]

I absolutely refuse to watch any of these YouTube offerings if they have to "rebuffer" EVERY twelve seconds.

[nephthys3333]

I love this movie!! It is so personal, real and touching. It captures the era and the tragedy and the family sentiments in amazing detail. I agree 5 stars.

[eaglecrowowl]

Intensely moving and engaging film.  I loved it! 5 stars.