61st Annual Meeting

October 18 - 25, 2014

Media Theatre 1 (open)

What Maisie Knew: How Children Understand Family Conflict and Divorce

What Maisie Knew is a 2013 American contemporary film adaptation of Henry James’ 1897 novel about a child caught between two wretchedly selfish people embroiled in a messy divorce and custody dispute. The film provides a view into Maisie’s clear-eyed but imperfect understanding and interpretation of the mysterious world of the adults in charge of her; and reveals the emotional impact of divorce and custody disputes on child development, emphasizing that children often see much more than they understand. The screening is followed by a panel discussion that includes one of the filmmakers and experts in the legal and psychological aspects of divorce in relation to child development. The film serves as a springboard for discussions about loss of innocence, the nature of resilience, and the impact of bitter custody disputes on child emotional and mental health.