MAMA/M.A.M.A.

This documentary focuses on reckless allegations by some pediatricians against new mothers who are accused of having Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP), a mental illness characterized by mothers (generally) who either take their healthy children to doctors under the pretense that the toddlers are ill, or actually take steps to induce illness in their otherwise-healthy children. But what happens when the accused women are not mentally ill? According to this film, some doctors are using MSBP as an excuse to use the law to separate mother and child, allowing the doctor to take charge of the child's medical treatment, and prescribe powerful pediatric drugs (manufactured by pharmaceutical companies with strong links to the doctors) that occasionally result in fatalities. Filmmakers Amy Sommer (who worked on the Oscar-nominated Waco: The Rules of Engagement) and Nonny de la Pena's (Unconstitutional) MAMA/M.A.M.A. focuses on three women accused by pediatricians of endangering their children's welfare (the fact that the doctor's word overrides the mother's word is somewhat startling), and their respective fights to clear their names and get their children back. A harrowing and tragic film, MAMA/M.A.M.A.'s depiction of a medical and legal system run amok is more horrifying than any make-believe Hollywood sci-fi flick. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)