I grew up gay. In the South. In the 60’s.

When my friend MiYu came to me with Go Ah (Orphan), a very personal story about a Korean born adoptee’s struggle to find her own identity after being raised by a Jewish mother in America, I was immediately transported back to the trauma of my own childhood identity struggles. I knew this film, if we could make it, would speak to an audience of all nationalities, all races, all genders. Because the journey to figure out who we are is a universal quest that sometimes takes a lifetime.

Thoughts of suicide. Are very real. And I think they pop into the minds of most of us now and again, whether we admit it or not. I confess that it was a little cathartic to be able to capture that for an audience.

Besides all the thematic merits, there was an added bonus in directing this film. I got to do what I love with people I love in places that I love. The entire cast and some of the crew have known each other for twenty years or more. All the actors studied together when we were younger.

Inclusivity has aways been important to me, and working with such a diverse group of people for a story that amplifies “the family of choice” was amazing. The cast alone is made up of Bi-racial, Jewish, Korean, Gay and Norwegian actors. The crew includes native born members of five continents. The only project I’ve ever worked on with as much diversity is Black Panther.

I am very proud to be a part of the team that made Go Ah.

– Tony Sears