Far from the Tree (film)

Far from the Tree is a 2017 American documentary film directed by Rachel Dretzin, based on the 2012 non-fiction book of the same name by Andrew Solomon. The film explores the experiences of families in which parents and children are profoundly different from each other, examining how they handle the challenges that arise from these differences.

The documentary features several families dealing with various challenges, including deafness, dwarfism, Down syndrome, autism, being a child prodigy, and having been born as a convicted rapist. Through these stories, Far from the Tree delves into themes of love, acceptance, identity, and the complexities of familial relationships in the face of significant differences. It seeks to understand how families cope with, and ultimately embrace, the unique aspects of their children, even when those aspects deviate significantly from societal norms or parental expectations.

The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in September 2017 and received positive reviews, praised for its sensitive and insightful portrayal of these families and its exploration of the universal need for connection and understanding. It was distributed by IFC Films and was also shown on PBS as part of the Independent Lens series.