Although we will be applying for grant funding, it is never a sure thing. The process is very competitive, and it can take months to actually reap the results or even to be notified that you

Jimmy, a Korean-American artist and athlete, finds the courage to search for the truth surrounding his birth and abandonment at 2 weeks old.

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When I first met Jimmy, I was so inspired by his life and his upbringing that I was compelled to tell his story by making a film about him. I thought of doing a photo documentary, but it occurred to me that a film would have the most impact and generate the most interest about him, as well as giving broader access to the community.

My film will be about him, where he’s come from, where he is now, and where he’s going. At the time we met, I had no idea that he wanted to try to find his birth mother in Korea. As we got to know each other and he mentioned that possibility, I was even more excited about making this film and including that journey. There is much more to explore.

Finding Jimmy’s birth father would be a bonus if that were to happen. Are there siblings? Relations? This is why I’ve decided to embark on this journey with him and take you with us.

As Jimmy's adoptive father stated in a previous Readers Digest article about his family, "It's about abilities, not disabilities."                                                                                                                                                                                                               
    

Artistic Approach

I see the film as a deep and sensitive dive into Jimmy, how he relates to his past and how that has prepared him for the moment when he may meet his birth mother or father. Jimmy's engaging smile and positive attitude become evident early in the film, and he is ready and willing to provide candid conversation with me and others on his past, present and future hopes. 

Throughout the film we will follow Jimmy and the progression of his search for his Korean mother and his American father. The heart of the film will be a trip to Korea in the hopes of meeting his mother and/or siblings. There is no way to know the direction of the film at that point. Should Jimmy find his mother, filming their meeting promises to be an emotional moment. This time will also be used to document the formation of relationships with siblings or other family members. 

In addition there is a possibility that Jimmy will be able to locate his American birth father and/or some paternal relatives through the use of Ancestry.com and a genealogist. This process has already begun, and we hope that this endeavor will provide opportunities for more interviews and information about Jimmy’s past and possible future with the rest of his birth family. 

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                         About the Director/Producer

    Joe Guerriero has been a professional photographer for over 45 years and a documentary filmmaker for the past 15 years. Joe has learned what to look for in a story and how to do it sensitively and honestly. He has been able to form lasting relationships with his subjects and build a trust that is absolutely necessary when dealing with sensitive issues. He is curious and deeply interested in people, and especially in those who are a bit different in the way they have to deal with everyday life.
     His first major feature documentary was completed in 2013 after three years of several trips back and forth to Cuba. The film titled, Curtain of Water, was aired on PBS television in 2014. It is still relevant today and continues to be leased to the educational film market through Infobase Learning. It also was an Honorable Mention in the Berlin International Film Festival. In addition, it was accepted into several other film festivals and shown at universities and organizations around the country. Joe’s second feature documentary was titled La Famiglia: Keeping it Together. This was a labor of love, a film about his very large Italian/American family and their struggle to keep their family bonded during the 50 years since the death of the family matriarch. Other shorts and photo projects were also completed over the past 45 years.

You can see Joe's work here: www.joeg.co