part-6, Bulgaria's Abandoned Children Revisited

In 2007 the BBC documentary film 'Bulgaria's Abandoned Children caused an international outcry because the images of neglect were so shocking to witness in a country that had just become a member of the European Union. Bulgaria has more institutionalised mentally and physically disabled children than anywhere else in Europe. The film is a heart-rending and eye-opening look into the life of one institution.

Eighteen months after filming it, director Kate Blewett returned to Bulgaria in 2009 to film with a handful of the children featured in the original documentary, seeing where they are today and how their lives have changed since the outcry and changes brought about by the film.

The original documentary is set in a small Bulgarian village in an institute called Mogilino, a place where 75 unwanted disabled children are growing up. Many of them cannot walk or talk, not necessarily because they are unable to, but because they have been neglected and have never had the opportunity to learn. With extraordinary access, Blewett takes us into this tragic silent world.

The second half of the film takes the audience back to Bulgaria to see how the lives of the children have been transformed beyond recognition as a result of the public response to the film. It is testimony to the power of television to bring about concrete change, and also demonstrate how even apparently hopelessly withdrawn and 'damaged' children can be reached, helped and given a meaningful life and future with the right care.

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[chloeinoz]

If this journalist does nothing else with her life she has truly done one of the most amazing and courageous things with her life, she gave those children eyes the world over. Thankyou for uploading this!

[TamirasEx]

Blewett's documentary illustrates the human paradox: such capacity for malice, and such capacity for kindness. The transformative power of love is nowhere better captured, than in the changed lives of the inmates of Mogilino. Thank you for uploading this film.

[meisie62]

Kate thank you so much for this documentary. Your dedication and perseverance truly made a difference. What a joy to see the transformation of these young people. May the cause continue.

[Starwarsfanboy501]

Excellent documentary! Thank you for posting this.

[timm9]

she would make some kind,sweet ,loving guy a great homemaker/wife.

[lalakimmie19]

out of the care takers in the mogilino there was one lady that seemed the nicest one

[jb55101]

this lady lets vasky sallow it the other lady feeding her was just stuffing it down her throat i bet the lady did that so she could sit on her fat ass .

[jb55101]

i wounder what happen to todor i went there in 2009 to the first deaf school for deaf and heard of hearing children and i was looking forword to seeing him but he was not at the school :(

[Agren4]

I cried at the end when that child got into her arms. That poor baby just wanted to be held.

[coolgirls123ize]

Bulgarias abandoned childrens documentry was the most moving tv documentry i have ever seen, i havebeen to Bulgaria on a charity feed the hungry so have seen homelessness but this is really shocking but has a happier ending! the journalist did the most amazing and courageous portrayal of something that the world should see and pleased that it has improved. Thank you

[dijornopizza]

@g5turbo81 how do you think he knew what a hug was when he ws never hugged?

[8757kathy]

they look so happy now,milens face when he thought he was going to go back to moglinio he looked so scared until the nurse told him that he wasnt going back there,bless him he is such a good boy and the difference in vaskey was unbelievable,she was very happy and talking away,good luck to these babies i hope all the best for them,they deserve it