Filmmaker Uncovered Adoption Truths in New Documentary
Deann Borshay Liem investigates adoption systems after an official commission validated her personal story.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Asian-American
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Documentary filmmaker Deann Borshay Liem is producing Relative Strangers, a film that tracks six mixed-race Korean adoptees. The project follows a report by South Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission that recognized human rights violations in Liem's own adoption case.
Why it matters
Liem's work seeks to foster healing and community for adoptees while exposing historical inconsistencies within international adoption programs. The official findings provide a rare path for truth-seeking regarding identity and family separation.
The film documents the lives of 6 mixed-race Korean adoptees over a 9-year production window. This work follows an official commission ruling which found that Liem was unlawfully substituted with another child.
The players
Deann Borshay Liem
She is a documentary filmmaker known for exploring the complexities of her own international adoption experience.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
This South Korean government body investigates past human rights violations and systemic abuses.
The details
Liem, who was adopted from Korea to the United States in 1966, submitted her personal history to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for an official investigation. The resulting report confirmed her Korean mother did not consent to her overseas adoption, providing a factual basis for her upcoming documentary.
Timeline
Deann Borshay Liem was adopted from South Korea in 1966.
Liem executive produced AKA Don Bonus in 1995.
Liem released First Person Plural in 2000.
Liem produced In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee in 2010.
South Korea's commission recognized human rights violations in March 2025.
Culture Shift
This project reflects a broader societal movement toward examining historical adoption practices through the lens of individual agency and truth-seeking. It highlights a shift away from closed adoption narratives toward transparency and institutional accountability.
The project emphasizes how adoptees are utilizing modern tools like DNA testing and social media to reconnect with their roots. The documentary provides a roadmap for those seeking to navigate personal identity and family heritage in the wake of institutional findings.
The takeaway
The documentary underscores the lasting impact of historical adoption systems on personal identity and family discovery. It serves as a reminder of the importance of archival transparency for individuals seeking their own origins.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving cultural narratives in our Asian-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Korea Times.
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