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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Not all adoptions end well in 'Blue Bayou'

Not all adoptions end well in 'Blue Bayou'

Published Mar 7, 2022 09:06 am

Justin Chon acts, writes, and directs this true-to-life tearjerker

An alternative to "The Batman" showing in the theaters is a small, independent film, "Blue Bayou," on www.upstream.ph about Antonio LeBlanc (Justin Chon), a Korean adopted by an American family 30 years ago and how the US laws on immigration have shaken his life upside down.

Justin Chon writes, directs and acts in "Blue Bayou"

Antonio works as a tattoo artist, struggling to earn for his “growing” family in New Orleans. His wife, Kathy (Alicia Vikander) is pregnant and he plays a doting stepdad to Jessie (Sydney Kowalske). His past is tainted with criminal records. Although some cases have been dismissed, Antonio is still at the mercy of people to be “accepted” in society.

Police harass him because of his ethnicity even if he has lived most of his life in the US. Kathy is so in love with Antonio that she tries to stick it out with him, to the dismay of her mother. She is his sole protector and keeping the family together is her priority.

America is home for Antonio's family

On one of their grocery runs, Jessie keeps on getting items that are way beyond the family’s budget. She gets a box with a free raffle trip to Hawaii and Antonio rides with her fantasy. Kathy argues with Antonio that they cannot afford a family vacation. Enter Ace (Mark O’Brien), Kathy’s ex-husband, a policeman, who has been longing to see his biological daughter, Jessie.

Tension arises as Denny (Emory Cohen), a policeman, instigates a fight with Antonio, sending the tattoo artist into jail. To make matters worse, Kathy posts bail but Antonio is nowhere in sight. We learn that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has Antonio in their custody.

The drama film is a bit long at one hour and 57 minutes, with too much disheartening events facing the “broken” protagonist. Deportation is the only option given to Antonio. “I was brought here when I was three,” he laments to his lawyer. “I’ve been here for over 30 years.” In his mind, he is an American but his adoptive parents were remiss in fixing his papers.

"Blue Bayou" poster

Antonio is not a recipient of the Dream Act of 2017 Bill where Dreamers, young, undocumented immigrants, who were brought to the US as children and have lived in there for at least four years, get protection from deportation and an opportunity to obtain legal status if they meet certain requirements.

Kathy learns that Antonio’s adoptive mother, Susanne (Susan McPhail), is alive and Antonio has stopped seeing her. “I don’t know you,” she says as Antonio “lies” to her. The lawyer wants the mother to testify in court and to prove that Antonio is a valued member of society, which is going to be a challenge because of his criminal records.

‘I was brought here when I was three,’ he laments to his lawyer. ‘I’ve been here for over 30 years.’ In his mind, he is an American but his adoptive parents were remiss in fixing his papers.

Antonio is a flawed man that needs major fixing. Kathy’s love has reached the limit and leaves him. We can’t blame her for turning her back on the roller-coaster life that his “beaten” husband offered.

Antonio connects to a Vietnamese-American woman named Parker (Linh Dan Pham). They both find their meeting “therapeutic.” But this subplot can be put away. Maybe Parker is there to connect him with his Asian roots but the real issue is the state of immigration policies in America.

Justin Chon and Alicia Vikander

Justin Chon acted, wrote, and directed this melodramatic piece, which borders into a telenovela. The last sequence will tug at everyone’s heart as Jessie bids Antonio goodbye.

The film is based on Justin’s interviews with adoptees in the US, who were deported by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The numbers of these adoptees without citizenship are increasing. Who chooses to be a legal US citizen?

"Blue Bayou" was in the official selection of the Cannes Film Festival last year.

Related Tags

Blue Bayou Justin Chon Alicia Vikander Arts and Culture
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