Lost and Found
In her personal documentary “Lost and Found”, filmmaker Debra Baker documents her search for, and reunion with, the son she surrendered for adoption in 1968. The film examines this relationship, and the deep effects that ripple through her life, as well as her family members, her son, and his adoptive mother.

There are over six million adoptees in the U.S., and though “Lost and Found” is Debra’s own story, it could be the story of any of those separated through a closed adoption system. We have seen the airport reunions, and this film takes viewers into the real world of forming relationships in a new, strangely familiar family, and the impact of search and reunion not only on mother and “child”, but entire families.

Through interviews of her family, her son, and his adoptive mother, the emotions and ramifications of reunion are explored. Debra’s son’s story is connected to Debra’s story through that of his adoptive mom’s, who was gravely ill when Debra met her. But his adoptive mom wanted to tell her story, also; that she felt reunion was a good thing, that there is enough love to go around, hoping to encourage adoptees to search, and their adoptive parents to support them.

Over the years, birthmothers have been depicted the way the media wants them to be viewed; as somehow flawed, not quite good enough, with no rights. There is a lot of media attention given to adoptee/birthmother reunions, and even the prime time TV shows have incorporated the adoptee/birthmother theme. But how real is it? “Lost and Found” goes deeper than the television stereotypes, requiring the viewer to think about adoption and what it means, individually and culturally.

Debra Baker wrote, directed, produced, and edited “Lost and Found”.

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