The Netflix documentary, ‘Found,’ tells the emotional story of three adopted Chinese-American girls who discovered their biological connection through a 23andMe genetic test. The film follows the journey of Lily, Sadie, and Chloe as they navigate their newfound relationship and travel to China to explore their cultural heritage. Since the release of the documentary, many viewers have been wondering where the girls are now.
Lily, Sadie, and Chloe have all continued their journeys of self-discovery since the documentary’s release. They have remained close and continue to keep in touch through social media and video calls. The pandemic has made it difficult for them to reunite in person, but they are looking forward to the day when they can all be together again.
Despite the challenges they have faced, the girls have continued to inspire others with their story. They have become advocates for adoption and have used their platform to raise awareness about the importance of family and cultural identity. In this article, we will take a closer look at where Lily, Sadie, and Chloe are now and how their lives have been impacted by the documentary.
Key Takeaways
- ‘Found’ is a heartwarming Netflix documentary about three adopted Chinese-American girls who discovered they are biological cousins through a genetic test.
- Lily, Sadie, and Chloe have remained close and continue to inspire others with their story.
- The girls have become advocates for adoption and have used their platform to raise awareness about the importance of family and cultural identity.
The Concept of Found Netflix Documentary
‘Found’ is a 2021 Netflix documentary film directed and produced by Amanda Lipitz. It is an international co-production of the United States and China. The documentary follows the story of three adopted teenage girls who discover that they are blood-related cousins on 23andMe. They then travel to China seeking answers about their identity and family history.
The concept of ‘Found’ is unique, as it explores the emotional journey of the three teenage girls and their families. It shows how technology can be used to connect people across the world and how it can impact their lives. The documentary highlights the importance of family and identity, and how it can shape a person’s life.
Critics have acclaimed the film for its emotional impact and storytelling. It has received praise for connecting with the audience and conveying the significance of family and identity. The documentary has been a hit among viewers who enjoy streaming TV shows and documentaries on Netflix.
Overall, anyone interested in exploring themes of family, identity, and the impact of technology on our lives must watch the documentary film ‘Found’.
Found: The Main Characters
The Cousins
“Found” is a documentary film that follows the emotional journey of three adopted teenage girls who discover they are blood-related cousins through the DNA testing service 23andMe. The main characters are Lily Bolka, Sadie Mangelsdorf, and Chloe Lipitz. The three girls were all born in China and adopted by American families. They learned about each other through genetic testing and communicated via texts, social media, and FaceTime.
Lily Bolka, a high school senior, got adopted by a Jewish family in New Jersey. She shows interest in a medical career and has a strong passion for social justice issues.
Sadie Mangelsdorf was adopted by a family in Wisconsin and is also a high school senior. She is an accomplished athlete and musician who plans to study engineering in college.
Chloe Lipitz was adopted by a family in Maryland and is a talented dancer who has performed in several productions. She is currently a freshman in college.
The Parents
The parents of the three girls are also featured in the documentary. They are all supportive of their daughters’ desire to connect with their birth families and help them navigate the emotional journey.
Lily’s parents, Lisa and Andy Bolka, are Jewish and have been very involved in their daughter’s life. They are proud of her accomplishments and support her decision to connect with her birth family.
Sadie’s parents, Karen and Mike Mangelsdorf, are also supportive of their daughter’s journey. They have helped her research her birth family and plan a trip to China to meet them.
Chloe’s parents, Amanda Lipitz and Scott Rudin, are both successful in the entertainment industry. They have been supportive of their daughter’s passion for dance and have encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
The Birth Parents
The documentary does not feature the birth families of the three girls. Instead, the girls travel to China to meet them, capturing the emotional reunion on film. During this meeting, the girls learn more about their birth families and the circumstances that led to their adoption.
Overall, “Found” is an emotional and inspiring documentary that highlights the experiences of adopted children and the importance of family connections. The three girls and their families are a testament to the power of love and the strength of the human spirit.
The Journey of Self-Discovery
The DNA Test
The journey of self-discovery for Sadie, Lily, and Chloe began with a simple DNA test. The three teenagers were adopted from China by white American families and had no knowledge of their biological families. They turned to 23andMe genetic testing to learn more about their ancestry. To their surprise, they discovered that they were blood-related cousins. This revelation sparked a journey of hope and self-discovery.
The Trip to China
After years of communicating via texts, social media, and FaceTime, the three cousins decided to travel to China together to learn more about their roots. They visited Guangdong province in southeast China, where they were abandoned as babies. They traveled with the determination to find answers about their identity and family history by locating their birth parents. The trip was an emotional journey that tested their resilience and strength.
The Emotional Journey
The trip to China was an emotional journey for Sadie, Lily, and Chloe. They visited orphanages, met with local officials, and searched for clues about their past. The harsh realities of China’s one-child policy confronted them, leading to the abandonment of thousands of baby girls.
The cousins also grappled with the complexities of adoption and the challenges of finding their birth parents. Despite the emotional toll of the journey, they remained hopeful and determined to uncover the truth.
In conclusion, the journey of self-discovery for Sadie, Lily, and Chloe was a testament to the power of hope and resilience. Their DNA test, trip to China, and emotional journey were all crucial steps in their quest to learn more about their identity and family history. The Found Netflix documentary captured their journey and highlighted the importance of self-discovery and the search for roots.
The Role of Social Media and Technology
Social media and technology have played a significant role in the lives of people today. From connecting with loved ones to discovering one’s roots, technology has made it easier to do so.
The Use of 23andMe
One of the ways technology has impacted people’s lives is through the use of DNA testing. In the documentary, the use of 23andMe is highlighted as a way for adoptees to discover their biological roots. The test provides individuals with information about their ancestry, health, and traits. Through this technology, individuals can gain a better understanding of their genetic makeup and connect with biological relatives.
Facetime Conversations
Another way technology has impacted people’s lives is through video chat. The documentary highlights the use of Facetime as a means for adoptees to connect with their biological families.
Video chat provides individuals with the ability to see and hear their loved ones in real-time, even if they are thousands of miles away. This technology has made it easier for adoptees to build relationships with their biological families.
My China Roots
The documentary highlights the organization My China Roots as a means for Chinese adoptees to discover their biological roots. The organization connects adoptees with genealogists who help them trace their family history.
Through this organization, adoptees can learn about their family’s traditions, culture, and history. This technology has made it easier for adoptees to connect with their biological families and learn about their heritage.
Found: The Impact of the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the world, and the entertainment industry has not been immune to its effects. Netflix released the documentary series Found in 2020, following the emotional journey of three Chinese girls abandoned as babies, just as the pandemic was taking hold. The series gained a lot of attention, but the pandemic had a mixed impact on it.
On the one hand, the pandemic led to an increase in streaming services like Netflix as people were forced to stay at home. This led to a surge in viewership for Found, and the show gained a lot of new fans. However, the pandemic also forced the cancellation of many promotional events and screenings. This could have helped the show reach an even wider audience.
In terms of the impact on the subjects of the documentary, the pandemic has had a mixed effect. The girls, who are now young women, have been able to connect with each other and with their fans through social media, which has been a positive experience. However, the pandemic has also made it difficult for them to pursue some of their goals. This includes traveling and performing, which has been frustrating for them.
Overall, the pandemic has had both positive and negative impacts on Found and its subjects. While it has led to increased viewership, it has also made it difficult to promote the show and pursue certain goals. The girls have been able to connect with their fans through social media. But have also faced challenges in pursuing their passions.
The Cultural and Emotional Complexities
The Ambiguity
The Netflix documentary ‘Found’ follows the emotional journey of three Chinese-American girls, Chloe, Sadie, and Lily, who were adopted by different American families and later discovered each other through DNA testing. The documentary highlights the ambiguity and complexity of their cultural and emotional identities as they navigate their past and present.
Their birth parents abandoned the girls, and they were raised by nannies in a Chinese orphanage. Later, American families adopted them, providing a new life in the United States. However, the girls’ cultural heritage and identity remained ambiguous. And they struggled to reconcile their Chinese roots with their American upbringing.
The Ambivalence
The documentary explores the girls’ ambivalence towards their cultural preference and their emotional attachment to their birth country. The girls’ journey to China was an intimate and emotional experience as they came face to face with their past and the reality of their birth country.
The girls’ growth and investigative nature were evident as they sought answers to their questions and tried to understand the complexities of their past. The documentary also emphasized the importance of heritage and showcased the emotional toll it takes on adopted individuals.
The Resolution
The documentary’s resolution was bittersweet as the girls found closure and a sense of belonging in their journey. They discovered their birth parents were unable to care for them and had made the difficult decision to abandon them. The documentary captured the girls’ emotional journey through the audio description and intimate moments shared with their birth families.
The documentary also sheds light on the cultural and emotional complexities of international adoption and the importance of understanding one’s heritage. The girls’ journey was a reminder that the emotional toll of adoption lasts a lifetime. And it is essential to provide support and resources to adoptees.
In conclusion, Found is a powerful documentary that highlights the cultural and emotional complexities of international adoption and the importance of understanding one’s heritage. The documentary’s investigative nature and emotional journey provide a unique perspective on the adoptee experience.
Found: The Story Behind the Scenes
The Netflix documentary Found follows the emotional journey of three adopted American girls, Sadie, Lily, and Chloe, who discover they are blood-related cousins from China. The film takes viewers on a raw and unflinching journey towards family, homeland, and history.
The documentary was directed by Amanda Lipitz and released on Netflix in 2023. It is available in English and features Cantonese subtitles. The film has received critical acclaim for its moving and inspiring story.
Behind the scenes, the making of the documentary was not without its challenges. Lipitz and her team had to navigate the complexities of transnational adoption, including the legal and ethical issues surrounding the adoption of abandoned babies in China.
The film also had to tread carefully when it came to spoilers, as the story of the girls’ reunion with their biological families was still unfolding during filming. Lipitz and her team had to be mindful of the impact their film could have on ongoing legal and emotional proceedings.
Despite the challenges, the documentary was a labor of love for Lipitz and her team. They worked tirelessly to capture the emotional journey of the three girls and their families, and the result is a powerful and poignant film that has touched the hearts of viewers around the world.
It is worth noting that the documentary has also sparked a conversation about the fines and penalties associated with abandoning babies in China. While the film does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the issue, it has raised awareness about the issue and prompted discussion about how best to address it.
Overall, the story behind the scenes of Found is one of dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to telling an important and emotional story with sensitivity and respect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the girls featured in the Found documentary?
The ‘Found’ documentary centers around three Chinese-born girls named Lily, Sadie, and Chloe. All three were adopted and raised by white American families in different parts of the United States. The girls were unaware that they were related until a DNA test revealed that they were actually biological cousins.
What is the premise of the Found Netflix documentary?
The ‘Found’ documentary follows the emotional journey of Lily, Sadie, and Chloe as they travel to China to explore their roots and connect with their birth families. The film also explores themes of identity, family, and the complexities of transracial adoption.
Does the Found documentary focus on the girls’ search for their birth parents?
While the girls do search for their birth families in China, the documentary also delves into their individual experiences growing up as adopted children in the United States. The film also highlights the challenges and emotional struggles that come with navigating the complexities of transracial adoption.
What impact has the Found documentary had on the adoption community?
Praise for the ‘Found’ documentary includes bringing attention to transracial adoptees’ experiences and sparking essential conversations about adoption complexities. Viewers find it relatable, moving, and commend its honest portrayal of adoptees’ emotional journey.
Conclusion
In the Netflix documentary ‘Found,’ the poignant story of three Chinese-born girls, Lily, Sadie, and Chloe, unfolds as they discover each other through genetic testing. The documentary captures their emotional journey as they travel to China to search for their past and perhaps find their birth parents.
Through the documentary, viewers witness the girls’ unique bond and the challenges they face as they navigate their transnational adoption and identity. The documentary also sheds light on the complexities of adoption and the importance of understanding one’s cultural and familial background.
As of August 2023, there is no update on the current whereabouts or activities of Lily, Sadie, and Chloe. However, the documentary has left a lasting impact on its viewers and has sparked important conversations about adoption, identity, and family.
Overall, ‘Found’ is a heartwarming and thought-provoking documentary that offers a glimpse into the lives of transnational adoptees and the complexities of their journeys. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in adoption, identity, and family dynamics.