Newly Discovered Adoption-Themed Films

In my book due out very, very soon, I list gobs of resources, including films, which highlight adoption.   Recently, I had the pleasure of viewing a few films I wanted to share with you---hopefully to keep you entertained during these colder months.  

I've always been a Dolly Parton fan, starting with my favorite film of hers Steel Magnolias, and recently, while DVRing some films to watch during this LONG winter, I found The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom.   The description seemed quite interesting (11 year old girl learns she's adopted and grows to believe Dolly Parton is her biological mother.  She runs away from home to a Dolly concert, hoping to discover the truth about her adoption).   This is an excellent film for adults, and I think teenage kids would also find it fabulous.  It reminds me a lot of Juno in its acting and filming style, though more serious and not as witty as Juno.      

I also found Oranges and Sunshine.    This film is about the thousands of children who were deported (stolen from their biological parents) and placed in abusive situations (slave-like conditions) and whose stories are discovered by a social worker.  The social worker makes it her mission to tell the truth about the deportations and reunite the adult "orphans" with their biological families.     Deeply moving film, and based on true events.   There is a lot of (detailed) discussion of abuse, so I don't recommend it for children or young teens.

Finally, I've only partially watched The Kid Who Loved Christmas.  It's an older film and features an African American couple who is adopting a young man from foster care.  While in the process of adopting the boy, tragedy strikes the family.     There are some famous actors in the film:  Vanessa Williams, Sammy Davis Jr., and Della Reese.    The film is rather cheesy at times, but the message is still strong.

I recommend ordering these films from your local library, and sometimes if your library doesn't carry a film, they will purchase it for the library system upon patron request. 

Please share what your favorite adoption-themed films are!