Somewhere Between

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My friend Linda shot a documentary that is soon to be released and is collecting the last of its funding for (post-production) completion. We met through our children (her daughter is Archer's best friend at school) and I was lucky enough to screen Somewhere Between last month. I was blown away - one of the most compelling, powerful, enlightening documentaries I've ever seen. Not only is it a must-see film for adoptive parents (or those considering adoption) but for all parents, women, people, because it's about identity, race and family. It's about a mother's quest to understand her daughter and young women's quests to understand themselves.

In Linda's words:

My daughter's name is Ruby. She's five. When my husband and I adopted her from China we had no idea what lay ahead. In an instant, we became a family. I began to think about Ruby's future and started to wonder how her coming of age would differ from mine....

My film SOMEWHERE BETWEEN was born.

The primary themes of Somewhere Between are identity formation, family, adoption and race. And really, the film focuses on the intersection of all of these through the coming-of-age of four girls. As they discover who they are, so do we. Through their specific stories, we, as viewers, will come to understand on a deeper level, the meaning of family, and our still prevalent cultural disconnects around stereotyping and race—whether we are adoptive families or not.

...While all adoptees face similar feelings and challenges, I believe this wave of Chinese girls is in a category all its own - due to the sheer number of children involved, and because the adoptions (and abandonments) are based solely on gender. The personal, societal and cultural ramifications are significant.

I am making this film for everyone. For the girls, so they can see their experiences in connection with each other, and for everyone who grapples with issues of race, culture, identity, and being ‘different.’...

I hope SOMEWHERE BETWEEN will start a dialogue about what we see, who we are, and the changing face of the American family. This film is about these 79,562 girls growing up in America. Right now.


If you're interested in donating or for more information, go here.
Become a fan on facebook, here.

Thank you kindly.

GGC

16 comments:

Anonymous | 9:06 AM

as an adoptee, i can't get enough of this. identity, impact, family, all those facets of adoption continue throughout the adoptees life. although i am canadian, not not internationally adopted, i am a girl who has gone throught the adoption process. the dialogues that will arise from this documentary is so important; i'm so glad you took the time to share this new & contemporary issue. I can't wait to see the completed piece :)

Missy | 9:25 AM

That cutie Ann's quote was so RIGHT ON... "the fact that I was probably given up just because I was a girl doesn't really bother me. In America it's more like "I'm a girl, I can do what you can do and I can do it in heels so DEAL!!!".. Can I get an amen sister??? Hell to the Yes!

Caitlin Carroll | 9:58 AM

What well-spoken young women! I want to see this.

Unknown | 11:39 AM

Looks amazing! I think the process of forming an identity in the U.S. when you're adopted from another country is completely fascinating. I look forward to watching this!

maternity tee girl | 12:36 PM

Can't wait to see this film. Looks great and is, i think, going to be an important piece of film for adoptees and adopters alike. Thanks for sharing this.

The Kellys | 4:43 PM

I am so excited to see this! I was adopted, dealt with the questions as a child, both my own and other (one girl actually tried to make fun of me by saying I wasn't wanted), and eventually met my biological mom. Every step has had it's ups and downs but I still feel so blessed. Thank you for sharing this.

And, I agree with Missy D. AMEN!!!

Anonymous | 3:15 AM

Wow! This looks amazing! I've been fascinated by adoption since it was first explained to me as a child. I always thought I would like to adopt especially internationally, but then I worked as a nanny for a Chinese/American family living in London, UK and now I'm not so sure. Through that experience, I realised how difficult it could be, not only for the child, but also for me. People always commented on the girls (who are truly beautiful children) when I was with them. However, people hardly ever commented on them when their mom was with them. I also had a couple people become hostile because they assumed that I had adopted them and, in their opinion, that was wrong. Not only do you have to deal with this, but then there's the difficulty of raising Chinese daughters in a predominantly caucasion society, like London. Their mom realised that the girls would probably face difficulties with identity, but she would be there to help and guide them. If I had a Chinese daughter what could I, the blonde haired, blue eyed, caucasion woman do to help? It is such a complex issue. I was blown away by the intelligence and self-awareness of the girls in the trailer. I can't wait to see this documentary. Thanks for posting this.

Jolie | 7:25 AM

beautiful, intelligent girls...
poignant words

extraordinary documentary!

After watching only the trailer, I am in tears. A must see for me! Thank you for introducing this film.

findingmagnolia | 1:09 PM

Oh, wow! I think it's probably obvious why I would be so into something like this, being the adoptive mama of a daughter from another continent, but beyond that, just to hear the voices of young women whose experience is different from that of my own is always so inspiring and enlightening. I will donate and post the trailer on both of my blogs. Thank you for spreading the word about this--I'll do my part to keep it moving!

Nancy@ifevolutionworks.com | 9:10 AM

As an adoptive mom, I am looking forward to seeing this. Thanks for posting about it!

Anonymous | 11:04 AM

I just wanted to say that I love your blog, and that I voted for you in the blog awards!

Ilonka | 8:37 AM

This movie looks lovely, the girls show tremendous intelligence and sensitivity, i wish i could watch it in a theatre, but because of my location, i will have to download it. i will still watch it anyway, i think about adoption a lot, and about adopting a child later on.

Anonymous | 7:57 PM

Wow.
I've never seen a film dealing with this particular subject. It looks pretty fabulous - definitely telling my little sister about this (she's one of the 79,562 girls ;)). My siblings and I were all adopted (China, Russia, I'm a weird mix of Vietmanese-Irish), anything related to adoption is intriguing to me..

Liliana | 8:26 PM

Wow. I really want to see this. Looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous | 12:42 PM

I'm adopted. I think it's probably easier to know you were adopted because you were a girl rather than, as I was told, because my mother was a slut.

adopted&proud | 6:41 PM

I REALY want to see this movie, but I hear it is only in festivals. Does anyone know if they are going to sell DVDs?