Julie Carles is on the record books, but for reasons she may never have predicted. She is one of only 27 mothers in the world who have given birth to identical quadruplets. The entertaining documentary Four of One Kind explores this obstetric phenomenon and gives us insight into the challenges of raising such large offspring.
Julie and her husband Jose initially struggled to conceive but eventually succeeded within the first year of their marriage. When they found out they were pregnant with quadruplets, they were overwhelmed with overwhelming joy and paralyzing dread. You have been warned of the risks. These babies—one or all—have only a 20 percent chance of surviving after birth and thriving without the defect. Jolie herself may not have survived a difficult pregnancy and delivery. Doctors even gave them the option to terminate their two children in favor of others. But far from being intimidated, the couple stood their ground.
The filmmakers used footage from the delivery room where the couple’s four amazing babies were born two months early. Since then, we’ve seen them grow and form an inseparable bond over the course of five years. They lean on each other, on the cocoon of love that is their home. This proved difficult early in school as they had to learn to step out of the comfort zone of their sibling unit and interact with other children.
Along the way, the film explores the steps involved in developing the individuality of a child who is identical in almost every way, and the fragility of striking a balance when parental demands are so overwhelming. To help make this happen, Julie traveled to meet several mothers in her unique situation, who offered wise and compassionate advice any parent might find insightful.
Four of a Kind might represent family life on steroids, but it never loses sight of the immense boon it represents. The film’s gentle tone and thought-provoking treatment of the intricacies of child development.
Directed by: Abigail Priddle
