Faith—originally Fang Sui Yong from Guangzhou, China—was adopted by the Sadowskys of Long Island, NY, when she was 8 years old, after being abandoned as a toddler and then spending two years in an orphanage followed by four more with a loving Chinese foster family. Filmmaker Stephanie Wang-Breal followed the Sadowskys for 18 months, beginning with their first meeting with Faith in China, tracing the girl's transformation from a homesick child who speaks no English and longs for her earlier caretakers, to an outgoing American preteen who is now Jewish and celebrates Hanukkah. Alternately heartbreaking and humorous, Wo Ai Ni Mommy—aired on PBS' P.O.V. series—captures the developing relationships in the Sadowsky household, particularly the early struggles between Faith and Donna Sadowsky, who speaks only a few words of Chinese and feels that a full-time translator would delay Faith's acquisition of English (fluent in Chinese, Wang-Breal translates for Faith and Donna, remaining quietly off-camera while helping to facilitate their early exchanges). Comments from Dr. Amanda Baden, a psychologist specializing in trans-racial adoption, offer further insights into the issues adoptees face in these cases. DVD extras include excerpts from an Asia Society Q&A panel from the film's NYC premiere, an interview with Baden, and updates from the Sadowskys. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)
Wo Ai Ni Mommy (I Love You Mommy)
(2009) 75 min. In English & Chinese w/English subtitles. DVD: $150: public libraries; $295: colleges & universities. New Day Films. PPR. Closed captioned. Volume 26, Issue 2
Wo Ai Ni Mommy (I Love You Mommy)
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: