Imagine that one day, your partner leaves home with your child and never comes back.

In Japan, such situations affect more than 150,000 families a year. Left behind parents lose all parental rights, becoming strangers to their children.

Forever Mine is photobook comprised of a series of intimate stories of 13 parents who, over a night and involuntarily lost their children and parental rights, showing the drama of their struggle against the merciless legal system. By documenting their stories, I try to give voice to those who are denied a chance by the system.

Support us, by buying one of the below options of a photobook, and let's publish this book and give left behind parents the opportunity to have their stories heard.

  • ABOUT THE PROJECT:

The Japanese juridical system is based on 19th-century family rules that do not recognize joint custody and do not consider the abduction of a child, by one of the parents, as a crime. As a result, more than 150,000 children annually lose contact with one of their parents. After a divorce, only one parent is entitled to custody of the child. A left behind parent loses all parental rights. He has no right to know where the child lives, where he studies, how he feels. He has no right to meet.

One day you are a parent, the next day you are not, the police and the court say:

"Go home, forget you were a parent! Imagine that your child is dead!" - recalls one of the characters.

Parents, however, cannot forget.

Tomas Savicas last saw his daughter Gabriele more than eight years ago. He still catches himself looking into strollers on the street for his nine-month-old daughter - that's how old Gabriele was when she was taken from her home by his ex-wife.

I had lived in Japan for more than three years, and had no idea about this infamous practice. I only learned about it when I learned the story of a French-born father, Vincent Fichot, who, in an act of desperation, using all legal avenues to get back the children kidnapped by his Japanese wife, decided to go on hunger strike during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. That's when news of the parental kidnappings in Japan circulated around the world. Remaining in shock at how unjust and violating the rights of the child it is, I couldn't help but try to tell the story of the heroism, but also the horrible trauma faced by parents fighting the system on a daily basis.

The mock-up of the photo book "Forever Mine" (2021-2023) was shortlisted in the Hong Kong Dummy Award 2023 and as part of the award, the book is currently traveling to photo book festivals around the world. The project was shown at Kyotographie in 2022 and 2023, as well as at the Wojnowski Photography Festival, most recently at the Polish Women Photographers presentation at the Sopot Festival. Concept, edit and art-direction developed in the 2022 Photobook as Object workshop by Yumi Goto and Jan Rosseel in collaboration with Reminders Photography Stronghold. 

 • WHY IS THIS BOOK SO IMPORTANT?

Parental abduction is a painful reality for many families in Japan, where legal and cultural challenges make it difficult for parents to maintain relationships with their children after separation. Through personal stories, our book raises awareness about the complexity and emotional impact of parental alienation of children. By sharing real stories and experiences, it can help inform the public and policymakers about the seriousness of this issue. In addition, this book is a place where parents could give their voice - so often drowned out and unheard.

  • WHO AM I?

I am a photographer, a documentarian. At the center of my interests is always a human being. The one who is unfairly touched by fate or the one who has no power of choice. I tell about what fascinates me, what delights me, what hurts me, using the language of photography. I listen to the stories of those who live in the shadow of the big world, often on the fringes of social and economic life. I try to capture the changes taking place in contemporary society. I am interested in what is new and what is just disappearing with the generation that is leaving. I am rewarded by the time and stories someone has been willing to share, and at the same time I am pleased that my work has been recognized by jurors from the world of photography and film.

I am a winner of the World Press Photo and the Minister of Culture Award (2013), winner of 8 awards in the Grand Press Photo competition, including two Grand Prix awards, where I have sat as a juror for the past 6 editions. I graduated from PWSFTviT in Lodz and the School of Film and Documentary Theater in Moscow. I am a member of Women Photographers and Polish Women Photographers, Canon Ambassador Program (2013-2018), I love being on the move. I have lived and worked in Warsaw, Moscow, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Bucharest.

You can see all the projects here: www.annabedynska.pl

  • About the book:

- Number of pages: 300

- Format: 15x21 cm

- Photographs and texts: Anna Bedyńska

- Graphic design: Anna Bedyńska, Andrzej Dobosz / dobosz.studio

- Project curator: Adrian Wykrota

- Languages: English / Japanese

- Publisher: Pix.house Foundation / www.pix.house

Shipping: after October 1, 2024

Book launch: September 2024 during a art residency and exhibition at Pix.house

 • What do we need?  •

The book is already designed and ready for publication. We need support to cover the high printing costs.Your contribution will help create a book that not only serves as a visual narrative, but also as a tool for social documentation and education. We have ambitious plans. Our goal is for the book to reach organizations and decision-makers in Japan and the EU Parliament, influencing legal changes that protect families.

I believe Forever Mine has a chance to make a difference,

and with your support it is possible.