We continue our series of reviews chronicling all of the (non-Studio Ghibli) animated films distributed by GKIDS Films — some of the most original and breathtakingly beautiful animated films from around the world — and how they hold up for a young American audience.

The entire retrospective is found here, and this time we’ve got…

Approved for Adoption (2012): Laurent Boileau & Jung, directors

What’s it about?

The film is a memoir that chronicles codirector Jung’s experiences as a child (along with his attempts as an adult to come to terms with and make sense of those experiences). Jung was one of thousands of Korean children adopted by Western families after the end of the Korean War. Found abandoned in a market, a very young Jung is brought to an orphanage and eventually adopted and moves to Belgium to be with his new family.

He immediately goes from “lost” orphan to one of five children… in a strange new country… where he doesn’t speak the language (and no one speaks his language).

The film is primarily about his experiences with his new family and friends in Belgium (from adolescence through his teenage years); we only see occasional flashbacks to his earliest memories in Korea. The animated story is also interspersed with live-action footage of an adult Jung traveling to Korea for the first time, looking for information about his birth mother and trying to find some of himself in the country where he was born.

What are the cultures at play? And how about the languages?

The film is a French-Belgian production set (mostly) in Belgium with dialogue in French. The live-action scenes with adult Jung were shot in South Korea, and there are a few scenes with Korean dialogue.

As one of only a few Korean kids in his town (in 1970s Belgium), Jung is trapped in a cultural divide, trying to claim his identity and figure out who he is and where he belongs. The film does a great job of depicting the cultural confusion Jung feels, but a dispassionate connection to the cultures on display actually helps the audience relate (somewhat) to Jung. The difficulties he faces are highlighted.

Will my kids like it? Is there anything objectionable for young kids?

A big part of Jung’s difficulty stems from the casual racism and latent biases that surround him – including (maybe especially) within his own family. His mother isn’t all rainbows and sunshine, and many of the cruelest (and most racist) comments thrown at Jung originate with her. She’s still his mother, though, and it’s a constant game of emotional tug of war between them – especially as Jung gets older and picks at the cultural cracks that are growing.

The film is an eye-opening look at adoption – especially international adoption – for kids who might not be familiar with it. Jung’s relationship with his parents and siblings is also a brilliant insight for kids who might not have firsthand experience with mixed or cross-cultural families.

As far as anything “inappropriate,” there’s a sequence that depicts a young Jung’s daydream/fantasy about his dance teacher that shows bare breasts. It’s really rather tame, so YMMV on how “inappropriate” this is for your family.

Will I like it?

I really enjoyed it, and it’s hard for me to see why anyone wouldn’t like it. In fact, if I have to be nitpicky, the only thing I don’t really like is the title. The original French title is Couleur de Peau: Miel, which translates to “Skin Color: Honey.” This phrase is an important part of Jung’s story, and in the context of the film, it makes a much better title.

Also, for American audiences who might be more familiar with the many thousands of adopted kids from China, Jung’s story is a fantastic reminder that those experiences aren’t limited to one country… or time.

Ultimately, though, the film is a love letter to Jung’s mother, despite her abrasiveness and Jung’s occasionally harsh upbringing. It’s the story of an adult Jung looking back on his childhood and coming to terms with the role his parents played in his life. And it’s a lovely tribute.

How can I see it?

GKIDS and Cinedigm released a Blu-ray edition of the film with a couple special features. Included is a making-of featurette and a theatrical trailer. The disc includes the original French audio track with English subtitles (there’s no English dub). The film is also available digitally from most retailers, including Kanopy (for free, with your public library card).

Final word?

At only 75 minutes, it’s a fairly quick watch, but that shouldn’t be your only reason for watching Approved for Adoption. The film is beautiful, moving, emotional, and lovely. It’s a peek at lives many of us will never know, and it’s a powerful use of animation as a storytelling tool.