Caroline (11:54)
ELO Films; Films Short; IMDb; Short of the Week; Vimeo

Caution: spoilers.

You know... you see reports of people leaving their kids in a car on a hot day, and you think... What kind of horribly irresponsible, unfit parents would do that? You're automatically outraged at them, and probably don't stop for even a second to try to empathize with them at all. This film, however, makes such scenarios seem more ambiguous. A mother takes her three kids to the home of someone who was supposed to look after them while she goes to a job interview, but that person is not home. She calls someone (I'm not sure if it was the previously arranged sitter or someone else), and arranges for them to come to the parking lot of the business where her interview is, being promised that the person will show up within ten minutes. Meanwhile, the mother leaves her kids in the car alone, giving the keys to her oldest child, Caroline, who is six. She instructs Caroline in how to turn on the A.C., saying only to do so if necessary. When that time comes, Caroline tries to do as she was shown, and it doesn't work. Soon, people notice the kids sweating in the car, and do what they can to help. They obviously blame the mother, just as anyone would, if they didn't understand what was going on. When the mother eventually comes back out, she is understandably freaking out, and desperate to just drive away with her kids, before the cops can arrive. But the crowd is now trying to prevent that.

So. I am completely torn. I think the mother made a bad decision. I also am not sure what choice she actually had. I suppose she could have taken her kids into the interview with her. But I can understand why she would think that was a bad idea. And after all, she did expect Caroline to be able to turn on the A.C. if necessary. On the other hand, I absolutely can't blame any of the strangers for their actions. All I can really do is blame our fucked up society. There is no excuse for an economy that makes people so utterly desperate that situations like this ever arise. This, I think, is a great example of why we need social safety nets... and why anyone who works to prevent that is guilty of... so many things.. but in this case, of child endangerment. Whatever the mother might be charged with (after the film ends), it is actually the 1% that I feel are guilty, and should be held accountable. But of course they won't be, and that makes me furious. And I'm sure the mother will be held accountable, which also makes me furious. And knowing that everyone who tried to help the children will be furious at the mother (as will, no doubt, thousands of people on social media)... that, too, makes me furious. (And it really bothers me that I could be one of those people on social media, reading such a story, and reacting without a trace of nuance.)