Adoption as a topic is coming up so often in the international community and global consciousness that it's getting to the point that any big event that doesn't in some way touch upon, feature or highlight some aspect of the adoption world would seem to be missing something.

At the moment, as anyone living on the planet knows ... even those of us on tiny islands in the middle of nowhere without much news coming in ... the big event in the film industry is the Cannes Film Festival. Presenting a representation of all things preeminent in Western culture du jour, there is, of course, a tie to adoption this year ... a tie aside from the attendance of adoption comment magnets, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, of course, but rather one of substance.

Philippine director Brillante 'Dante" Mendoza's new film, "Foster Child", was chosen as one of the films to be premiered at the Festival's prestigious "Directors' Fortnight, and it did very well, receiving a ten minute standing ovation from a standing-room-only crowd, and what is being touted as only the second tremendous positive response to a film so far.

Attendees are quoted as saying that the audience was "absolutely moved" by this story of unconditional love from a family preparing to part with a child about to be adopted internationally.

Here's a synopsis of the story:

Thelma, her husband Dado and two teenage sons belong to an poor urban family in Manila, Philippines. They are hired by a local Foster Care Facility to provide a temporary home for abandoned babies pending their formal adoption. When Thelma's latest foster child John-John is to be handed over to his adoptive American parents, every moment with the 3-year becomes precious as Thelma goes through the day.

Stating that he "welcomed rather than worried about the potential of 'Foster Child' attracting more foreigners looking for children to adopt in the Philippines", Dante revealed that is himself an adoptive parent of a daughter, and that he, "related strongly to the film's story on an emotional level."

At the moment, the release is to French-speaking countries, but it's bound to be available in English soon. I hope this is eventually released on DVD so I can see it. In the meantime, I'd love to hear from anyone that does manage to get a look at "Foster Child".

Thanks much to Angela on the Ukraine Adoption blog for the heads up on this film and the news around it.