Review Fix chats with Zara Phillips, about her new film, “Somebody’s Daughter.”
About Zara Phillips:
As she celebrates the release of her extraordinary autobiographical film Somebody’s Daughter, Zara Phillips offers up some tough love truths that fly in the face of the often cheery, sanitized way adopted children (and other beings) are depicted in Disney films and other media.
From her years of advocacy, studying contemporary sociological research and personal experiences as an adopted person herself, the passionate lifelong advocate for adoptees knows that even well into adulthood, their existential struggles of feeling like outsiders with little known stories of their history and birth parents makes them at least four times more likely to attempt suicide.
Review Fix: What inspired this film?
Zara Phillips: The film is based on my memoir ‘Somebody’s Daughter’ . I then wrote and performed a one-woman show as my story kept changing and I felt the best way to get the story out was by making a film.
Review Fix: Why is this topic so pertinent?
Phillips: There are a lot of Disney story myths around adoption .I am not discounting the love many adopted parents have to give but the adoptee can struggle at many milestones in ones life and there needs to be more education and help available.
Review Fix: How did you change through its production?
Phillips: At first I was just going to film the one woman show and then we decided to bring in other actors,which really made the story come to life.
Review Fix: How did it feel to get that quote from Richard Thompson?
Phillips: Even though I am married to Richard, I really admire him as an artist so i know when he says something complimentary he means it!
Review Fix: How do you want this film to affect people?
Phillips: I want them to understand that adoption is not a one time event, it is lifelong.! There are many layers to the experience for all involved.
Review Fix: What are your end goals for it?
Phillips: My goals are to get the film on streaming sites and out to as many people as possible so that it may help others with their stories.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Phillips: I will continue to do screenings and workshops/talks on the lifelong impact of being adopted.
I also have a new book in the works – a. coming-of-age story set in the 1970’s/80’s in the UK.
Review Fix: Where can people find out more?
Phillips: www.ZaraPhillips.net
Leave a Reply