Imagine spending your entire life knowing that somewhere around the world, blood relatives—identical to you in broad or subtle ways—exist, yet completely unknown to you. The 2021 documentary film Found takes this riveting premise and wraps it in an emotional journey that tugs at the heartstrings. Directed by Amanda Lipitz, the film focuses on three teenage girls, each adopted from China into different American families, who discover via a DNA testing service that they are cousins. The film is set in multiple locations, primarily the U.S. and China, and gives an intimate glimpse into their quest to understand their origins.
Amanda Lipitz captures not just the personal journey of these teenagers, but also reveals the societal and political intricacies tied to China's one-child policy, which left countless children in orphanages. By focusing on Lily, Sadie, and Chloe, who find each other at a pivotal time in their teenage years, the documentary dives deep into the complexities of identity and belonging.
For anyone with even the faintest interest in stories of self-discovery or family, this experience is both universal and unique. The girls' journey, recorded with sincerity and sensitivity, hints at deeper concerns: how cultural differences shape individuals and how these adoptees navigate the emotional landscape of their beginnings. Their trip to China is not just a physical journey but an emotional dive that leads them to ancestral family roots. The documentary excels in giving a voice to adoptees, backed by Amanda Lipitz's empathetic direction.
Found isn't merely about adoption; it's a window into the perseverance of young women searching for answers about their origins. Their explorations, aided by a determined genealogist, not only connect them to their past but pave the way for future connections. Lipitz showcases these stories against a backdrop filled with moments that are both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, such as the anticipation and anxiety before meeting potential biological family members.
While Lipitz celebrates the strength and resilience of these young women, she doesn't shy away from the political aspects associated with their adoption. The film subtly points to the effects of the one-child policy—how it separated families and how policies from differing parts of the world came to shape the destinies of these women. There’s an understanding from both adoptees and birth parents about the complexities surrounding these adoptions, hinting at a society grappling with rapid change.
The conversation doesn't stop at the personal: it challenges us to think about identity. For the globally conscious Gen Z audience, asking, "Where do I belong?" can take on new meanings when considering cultural identity. As these adoptees probe their Chinese roots, they reveal the intersection between personal and cultural identity that strikes a chord in viewers.
There are moments of empathy where one can see how the adoptees wrestle with being 'in between' - between two countries, cultures, and families. This exploration of duality resonates particularly with Gen Z, a generation defined by internet-fueled multiculturalism and globalization.
However, for those who argue against international adoption, preferring domestic solutions instead, Found also gives space for this sentiment. Some view international adoption critically, noting potential issues of cultural displacement and privilege dynamics. Lipitz's documentary provides enough nuance, allowing those critical viewpoints to be felt even if not directly acknowledged.
The documentary tends to evoke a personal reflection on one's own life and identity. The film, true to its title, helps viewers understand what it truly means to be 'found.' It allows one to reflect on the sense of belonging and the profound realization that we are all part of ongoing stories; stories that intertwine and diverge, yet ultimately echo the same themes of connection and love.
Lipitz grants the audience an opportunity to witness not only the transformative power of self-knowledge but the power of proximity to family, both found and chosen. We are left questioning: What makes a family? Is it shared DNA, or the connections we cultivate?
In the end, Found is about the journey of finding ourselves in places both familiar and foreign. It reminds us all that, while family might begin with blood, it is the bonds we form and the love we nurture that truly make us belong.