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Adoption Films
While many
widely-distributed movies feature stories about
children separated from their birth families and
raised by loving others, the movies on this list are
specifically adoption-related. They include:
Do you have a favorite adoption movie?
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one-paragraph review and credits to our
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"Secrets and Lies" (1996), directed by Mike Leigh.
A well-made, well-acted film. Mike Leigh tells the
story of an English adoptee reuniting with her
birthmother and birth family. This film hits the
emotional spot and is not a traditional Hollywood
formula. Leigh's use of dream imagery deepens this story.
It is a must-see adoption film.
"The Magdalene Sisters" (year), directed by Peter Mullan.
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.
"Antoine Fisher" (2002), directed by Denzel
Washington, written by Antoine Fisher.
"Broken
Flowers" (2005), directed by Jim Jarmusch.
"Vera
Drake" (2005), directed by Mike Leigh.
"Babe"
(?), directed by ?.
"Gosford
Park" (?), directed by Robert Altman.
"The
Truman Show" (?), directed by Peter Weir.
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.
"I, the
Aforementioned Infant" (2006), written and
directed by Ronit Kertsner.
"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."
"Daughter from Danang
(?), by Gail Dolgin and
Vincente Franco.
Academy award nominee for best documentary feature.
From the film's 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."
"The
Triumvirate" (?), written and directed by Jean
Strauss.
"Vital Records" (?),
written and directed by Jean Strauss.
"LOGGERHEADS"
(?), by Tim Kirkman.
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
film's 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."
"Reno Finds Her Mom"
(?).
A first person account of Reno's, an adoptee living
in New York City, search and discovery of her
birthmother in Southern Califonia.
"The Other Mother"
(?), written by Carol Schaefer.
"Shot
in the Dark" (2007), by Adrian Grenier for
HBO.
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