Least Said, Soonest Mended (ATOM Study Guide)

Least Said, Soonest Mended explores true events in the life of one family, events that were never discussed over thirty-five years. Steve mediates between his mother, Vi, and his sister, Val, attempting to understand the past, and why his parents chose a pathway which hid realities and denied feelings. The painful impact of their decisions caused major psychological problems for his sister. Val was fifteen when she had a baby daughter who was adopted. She had no choice in what happened, no opportunities for counselling, and was then expected to get on with her life. In Least Said, Soonest Mended we follow the family's journey from the 1950s through to the time when they are all brought together and the facts are laid bare. This highly personal film is about revealing the hidden. In the process, questions are raised about the meaning of family and motherhood.

Curriculum Links
Least Said, Soonest Mended will have relevance and interest for teachers and students of Media Studies, Health and Personal Development, Welfare Studies, Studies of Society and Environment or Human Society and Environment, and English.