Adopted

Time: 80 minutes
Year: 2008
Website: http://www.adoptedthemovie.com/

Director’s Statement

I’m fascinated with family and how its many concentric circles define who we are. Like most adopted people, I have as many meanings attached to the word family, as I have emotions and as a storyteller, I feel compelled to explore them all.

Delving deep into the unique complexities of adopted families is the heart beat of Adopted. These families open up their homes and get real. What they show us is intimate, difficult and truthful. What’s happening in these families is subtle and easy to miss on the first viewing, so watch closely. What international adoption does to everyone it touches is humbling, enlightening and life altering. Are you sure you’re ready for this kind of family?

—Director’s statement by Barb Lee.

Synopsis

Adopted reveals the grit rather than the glamor of transracial adoption. First-time director Barb Lee goes deep into the intimate lives of two well-meaning families and shows us the subtle challenges they face. One family is just beginning the process of adopting a baby from China and is filled with hope and possibility. The other family’s adopted Korean daughter is now 32 years old. Prompted by her adoptive mother’s terminal illness, she tries to create the bond they never had. The results are riveting, unpredictable and telling. While the two families are at opposite ends of the journey, their stories converge to show us that love isn’t always enough.

Trailer