BINITAY: ONCE UPON AN OCHIA
The aftermath of the biological family reunion – where does an adoptee go from here? How does one balance two families? These are some of the questions that James Beni Wilson will attempt to answer in his next film project, Once Upon An Ochia.
There are not many documentaries that highlight the ongoing relationship of an adoptee after reuniting with their biological family. James will be will be mapping out a collective narrative focusing on the inter-cultural interactions between him and his families. It will also include genealogy work of putting together a family tree and capturing the living oral history. This film is dedicated to adoptees, specifically trans-racial or trans-national adoptees, who are finding their way building and balancing new and old relationships, how it may impact one’s identity; to bring you a glimpse of what it may be like after post-reunion of an adoptee “finding their roots.
My name is James Beni Wilson. I was born in the Philippines and adopted at the age of three by a white American family who raised me in Novi, Michigan.
During childhood, I was always asked the “What are you?” question, so I decided to learn about my roots and culture.
Currently, I’m an an undergraduate student in social work. For the past six years, I’ve been an active member of the Philippine American Community Center of Michigan. I am the lead mentor of the Filipino Youth Initiative, a program that is part of a Filipino school where youth learn about their Filipino culture, history and identities, and how they fit in with a larger social construct.
BINITAY: JOURNEY OF A FILIPINO ADOPTEE
My first film project, Binitay: Journey of a Filipino Adoptee, captured my childhood growing up as an adopted Filipino, my search for my heritage and Filipino cultural roots, and how I eventually embarked on a search for my birth family.
The film has been screened and made an impact at many institutions including the following:
- Harvard University
- Schoolcraft Community College
- Minnesota Transracial Film Festival
- Philippine American Community Center of Michigan
- Filipino Heritage Camp
My next film project continues the story, but I can’t make it without your help.
I am fundraising for my travel and camera crew expenses in the Philippines to better capture the necessary cultural interactions.
What We Need
– Expenses for Film Crew
– Travel Expenses
– Food
-Additional return trips to the Philippines may add to the project and necessary funding.
How to donate?
All funds & transactions will be recorded.
Inquiries for film screenings, please contact me at my email binitay.documentary@gmail.com
PayPal: Jamwilson9@gmail.com
Other Ways You Can Help:
Sharing through social media such as Facebook & Twitter