Adoptive Families Magazine on "Orphan."

I received this call to action e-mail from Adoptive Families Magazine:

Dear Readers,

There is a horror film being released on July 24, called Orphan, about a family who adopts an older girl who "is not what she appears to be." The film is currently being promoted, and the trailer is available at http://orphan-movie.warnerbros.com . The adoption message is extremely negative, and plays into the stereotypes of adopted children, particularly older children, as damaged.

Though we have not been able to preview the entire movie, the trailer leads us to believe the movie will send a horrific message about adoption. The adoption community is protesting the release of the film. We urge you to contact the makers of the film, as well as your local movie theater chains, with your concerns. Feel free to copy or adapt the sample letter below.

To whom it may concern:
I want to express my outrage about the release of the movie Orphan. The film plays into the stereotype of adopted children as damaged and dangerous. It discourages families from pursuing adoption, particularly adoption of older children, who are especially in need of loving homes. As an adoptive parent, I am horrified by the line in the trailer that "it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own." Adoption has often been misrepresented in the media, but the previews for this film are unbelievably offensive. I urge you to change the promotional materials, and to consider holding the release of the film altogether.

Contact information:

Warner Bros.
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522
818-954-6000

Silver Pictures
4000 Warner Blvd. 90
Burbank, CA 91522-0001
818-954-4490

Time Warner Inc.
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019-8016
212-484-8000

I think, when it comes down to it, while the issues some adopted children face can be difficult, they're not impossible to deal with, and AF is right in clearly stating that they are as deserving of love as every other child.

There can be issues that arise with every adopted child, just as issues arrive with biological children. Whether or not this movie is painting a solely negative picture of older-child adoption has yet to be seen. It appears that the trailer is attempting to do just that, but I'm sure producers are using the most "intriguing" segments of the movie to generate interest prior to its July 24, 2009 release date.

I also find it interesting that they take offense to the line which reads "it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own," when in reality it's a terribly common question that I'm sure many adoptive parents have been asked at some point.

If you are an adoptive parent and would like to join Adoptive Families' efforts toward "Orphan," please feel free to use the information quoted above.

I would hope that anyone considering adoption would not allow a Hollywood production to change their attitudes toward adopting an older child.