Experiencing Interruptions?

You Should be Grateful

A documentary, narrated by adult adoptees about the effects adoption has had on their lives.
In early 2018, a group of brave adopted adults came together at a weekend getaway, to share their experiences of what life has been like living as an adopted person.
Following this, some were interviewed where they dispelled the myths and exposed the truths of the complexities that adoption brings. This is their journey, worlds apart yet the familiarity of adoption will bring them together.

  • Heather Waters
    Director
    The Lost Souls
  • Heather Waters
    Producer
  • Melinda Rackham
    Key Cast
  • Daryl Fuller
    Key Cast
  • Louise Lawson
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    37 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 8, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    California
    United States
    February 15, 2019
    Californian premiere
    Bronze ~ best documentary short
  • Global Shorts
    California
    United States
    March 31, 2019
    Special Mention
Distribution Information
  • Self
    Country: Australia
Director Biography - Heather Waters

At the age of 13, I was introduced to photography on a professional level and later, continued to study the art at a deeper level. I have always loved creating a beautiful picture.
I was adopted shortly after birth and raised an only child in a single parent family. Ironic given that is exactly the reason I was adopted - so that I wasn't raised that way.
From the age of 4, I was a stage performer of ballet, calisthenics and drama, eventually ending that career at age 13.
I'm highly organised, creative, passionate and determined. I have combined my strengths, skills and circumstances and channelled them into the film making industry to create artistic works which convey meaning on behalf of and for others.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Adoption is a global problem in that largely, it does not address the needs of the child but rather, focuses on the desires of the adults. Adoption is damaging, on many levels, to a child who will then need to live with the effects of that for the rest of their life. I strongly believe the first achievable step is to keep the child's identity as a whole, intact. Their name, medical history, ancestry and relatives all need to be open and accessible to them at all times. Working towards less damaging ways can help development which leads to a more whole human being and healthy adult.