Foster (HBO)

About Foster (HBO)

Released in 2019, Foster is an emotional and illuminating HBO documentary which delves into the often misunderstood world of foster care. The film illuminates the complex system through a myriad of real-life stories - including those of foster parents, social workers, advocates, and — most importantly — the children. These stories reveal the immense challenges and untold stories in the foster care system in the United States, exposing both its flaws and efforts to provide stable homes and promising futures for the children.

Making / Production

'Foster' is a passion project from Academy Award-winning participants, including director Deborah Oppenheimer and writer Mark Jonathan Harris. They embarked on an experiential journey, recording for years and investing countless hours of research. Their mission was to shed light on the real people touched by the foster system, and to advocate for structural change.

Actors

• Earl Billings as himself - A committed social worker who becomes a father figure for his young charges. His portrayal captures the dedication and heartbreak that comes with working in the foster system.
• Chris Brown as himself - A former foster child who uses his own past experiences to connect with and help current foster children.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie includes the perspective of social workers, shedding light on the compassionate and dedicated individuals who often get overlooked or unfairly criticized.
• 'Foster' reveals that Los Angeles has the largest county child welfare agency in the United States.

Music, Soundtrack

• The music in 'Foster' is composed by Gary Lionelli, who skillfully uses the soundtrack to enhance the emotionally charged scenes and dialogue.
• The soundtrack features a blend of empathetic and hopeful musical scores, accentuating the overall theme of the movie.