Throughout it’s twenty-three year run, PBS’s documentary series POV has steadily delivered thought-provoking television. The three episode “Adoption Stories” arc, debuting tonight, is no exception. It kicks off with Wo Ai Ni (I Love You Mommy), a film by Stephanie Wang-Brea.
This adoption story takes an unflinching look at what it’s like to bring an older child from another country into an existing family. The Sadowskys are a Jewish family from Long Island with two teen boys and one adopted daughter from China. In deciding to adopt a fourth child, the Sadowskys honored their youngest child’s request for an older sister, and set out to welcome an eight-year-old girl into the fold.
Though it’s clear that little Fang Sui Yong is very much wanted by her new family, there’s something shocking about her transition to America. How is a girl of eight supposed to respond to meeting her new mommy, learning her new name, and being told that she will now be expected to learn English and live in a strange country? Tears are the obvious answer, and yet “Faith’s” new mommy seems surprised by it all. She knows that everything will be okay - why doesn’t her new daughter?
Though the documentary never judges the Sadowskys, choice moments of frustration and misjudgment prove that no family is perfect. While still in China, Mrs. Sadowsky voices her frustration at Fang Sui’s disinterest in learning English, but on Day 3 of her new life, how can you blame the little girl for being distracted? With a million thoughts and emotions racing through her mind, how can she possibly care about learning the word for bagel? At home, Fang Sui struggles to carry her books into school because she cannot communicate properly, has dropped wrists, and for reasons unknown was not given a book bag. In their attempt to make Fang Sui fit into the family, the Sadowskys may have underestimated the extent of their new daughter’s wants, needs, and limitations. The little girl can often be heard saying, “you’re so annoying!” in Chinese, and the period of adjustment is far less rosy than expected.
Despite a rocky start, Fang Sui makes stunning progress over the next seventeen months, adapting to America, learning English at the expense of her Chinese, and evolving into an articulate, outgoing little girl. Whatever seemed to be going wrong in this new relationship ultimately goes very right, affording a new life to a little girl whose future in China was dubious.
Airing September 7th is Off and Running by Nicole Opper, the story of Avery, an African-American teen raised by white Jewish lesbians. Her brothers are black, Puerto Rican, and Korean, yet their life as a family is surprisingly traditional. Avery has become a track star and is on the path to a highly successful future when she decides to contact her birth mother. Suddenly her true identity is in question, and Avery must make sense of her roots.
In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee by Deann Borshay Liem airs September 14th, and chronicles a woman’s search for answers after forty years of deception. Why was the name on her passport switched when she came to America at age eight? Why was she forced to keep this a secret? And who was the little girl whose name she took? Tune into PBS to learn the answer to these compelling questions.
Wo Ai Ni (I Love You) Mommy by Stephanie Wang-Breal
Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 10 p.m. on PBS; Streaming online from Sept. 1 – Nov. 30 at www.pbs.org/pov/video
Off and Running by Nicole Opper
Airing Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 10 p.m. on PBS; Streaming online from Sept. 8 – Dec. 7 at www.pbs.org/pov/video
In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee by Deann Borshay Liem
Airing Tuesday, Sept. 14 on PBS; Streaming online at www.pbs.org/pov/video Sept. 15 – Oct. 15
