This 56 minute documentary bridges the gap between birth and adoptive families through diverse personal stories of adult adoptees, birthparents and adoptive parents in both same race and transracial adoptions. They stirringly reveal the enormous complexity in the lives of normal people when impacted by adoption. In the process, they explain what things like ‘loss’ ‘identity’ and ‘needing to know the truth’ mean to them. Many candid snapshots touchingly enrich each story. Historical footage is threaded through the film and serves as an illuminating background. “Unlocking the Heart of Adoption” gives the viewer a powerful way to understand what ‘adoption as a lifelong process’ means today.
A well made, well acted film. Mike Leigh tells the story of an English adoptee reuniting with her birthmother and birthfamily. This film hits the emotional spot and is not a traditional Hollywood formula. Leigh use of dream imagery deepens this story. This is a must see adoption film.
"The story of Helen Hill and adoptee rights group Bastard Nation who used Oregon's Ballot Measure 58 to open sealed birth certificates for adult adoptees. Hill's initiative turned into a civil rights battle bringing about new hope for activists and reformers across the country. Filmaker Paul Fournier captures the essence of grassroots activism. With coverage from inception to victory Bastard Nation members are shown planning, learning and achieving voter support. Then fight court battles to set case precedent. This film is inspiring for all wanting an end to unfair, outdated and discriminatory laws."
Acadaemy award nominee for best documentary feature. From the Daughter from Danang website, "A heartbreaking documentary that upsets your expectations of happily-ever-afters, Daughter from Danang is a riveting emotional drama of longing, identity, and the personal legacy of war."
An unflinching and compelling emotional drama, charting several years in the young lives of four "fallen women" who were rejected by their families and abandoned to the mercy of the Catholic Church in 1960's Ireland," quote is from the Synopsis area of Miramax's website.
October 14 nationwide limited release. A film about adoption rights, inspired by true events. It highlights three triad stories and interweaves each story in the days leading up to Mother's Day weekend.
From the website, "In 1966, Deann Borshay Liem was adopted by an American family and was sent from Korea to her new home. Growing up in California, the memory of her birth family was nearly obliterated until recurring dreams lead Borshay Liem to discover the truth: her Korean mother was very much alive. Bravely uniting her biological and adoptive families, Borshay Liem's heartfelt journey makes First Person Plural a poignant essay on family, loss, and the reconciling of two identities."
A first person account of Reno's, an adoptee living in New York City, search and discovery of her birthmother in Southern Califonia.
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