With her failing health and the opposition of the legal system, Viola Dees fought to raise her grandson alone in South Central Los Angeles.
The film explores the issues of the foster care system and the rights of senior citizens, according to a press release.
Peter Rollins, professor of film, said it is necessary for good issues to be studied because documentary films were created to identify social problems and to suggest solutions.
He said it is a great honor for Seretean to be recognized for these achievements.
Seretean dedicated the Oscar to her film subjects, Viola and Walter Dees.
“Viola would share the award with grandmothers like her, struggling to raise a generation of children whose own parents have left them,” Seretean said, noting that Viola Dees passed away in December.
Seretean has gone into film-making full time and is working on a film that explores adoption reform.
“It is about looking at two birth mothers — one looking for a child and one in the process of giving up a child,” Seretean said.
The whole infrastructure needs to recognize film as a way to raise social issues, she said.
For students wanting to see the Oscar-winning documentary, it will be shown on cable television.
Rollins said documentaries do not receive the theatrical settings they deserve, but cable television has provided a terrific forum for social documentary films.
“Documentaries have a new life because of the existence of cable outlets such as HBO,” he said.
“Big Mama” will air on Cinemax May 30.
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