Inspired by a true story. Really?

Yes, really.

Writer and co-director, Mary-Jo Dionne, was raised by a forward-thinking single mom who, despite their limited means at the time, managed to convince Mary-Jo that the world was their oyster. In many ways, Mary-Jo’s mom was something of a Language Ninja who spun positive adventures out of negative situations. Their home was many things – eclectic, loving, and rich in resilience – but one thing it never was, was “broken”.

While the story of Never Broken isn’t factually identical, every moment in the film is inspired by Mary-Jo’s interpretation of events as seen through the eyes of a child in the 1970s, and later processed as an adult.

Mary-Jo's TEDx Talk which aims to debunk the "broken home" mythology, would go on to serve as the inspiration for the film.

Why the heck did we make this movie, anyway?

Over 50% of children in single-parent households in British Columbia live in poverty. In Canada alone, an estimated two-thirds – or $3.7 billion – of all child support payments are in arrears. And in the USA, that total is a staggering $113 billion in unpaid support.

Never Broken isn’t just the touching story of a hard-working single-mom who spins reality in an effort to create a more joyful life for her child. It’s an important movie that will reshape the way we view single-parent households. Not as broken. But as creative, industrious, and downright heroic.