Family Portrait in Black and White follows a passionate Supermom, Olga Nenya, during three turbulent years that see her brood of 23 foster children grow into rambunctious teenagers. Olga is a loving mother but she is no Mother Teresa; she bears a closer resemblance to a platoon leader. Olga does not see color or creed of her foster children of whom 16 are bi-racial, results of amorous relationships between local Ukrainian girls and African students. As a single mother who receives very limited support from the government, Olga fights tooth and nail to keep her family together and to give it strength and support with sometimes overbearing control. Olga’s limits are tested daily and her unwavering resolve becomes a refuge for some children and prison for others.