Adoption advocates lash out at movie's portrayal of orphan

Parents of adopted children sometimes battle ignorance and stereotyping as they strive to make their kids feel loved and accepted.

So they are steamed this summer about "Orphan," an upcoming horror flick from Warner Bros. featuring a damaged and dangerous older adopted child who terrorizes her family.

"The notion that a movie would deliberately portray an adopted child as evil makes me wince," says Dan Casseday, a Lutz parent of four adopted sons.

More than 3,600 parents have joined a Facebook group called I am Boycotting Warner Bros.' "Orphan" Movie. Online comments reflect concern that their children will face cruelty from others as result of the movie, due in theaters July 24.

The site says: "We encourage Warner Bros., Dark Castle Entertainment, and Appian Way to consider very carefully where and how they market this film, as the potential damage to children is great."
Particularly irksome to parents was a line from the movie's trailer that said: "It must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own."

Scott Rowe, senior vice president of communications for Warner Bros., says it has been changed to: "I don't think Mommy likes me very much."

"The adoption community had every right to be angry about that line; I do think we messed up," he says. "We took a step back and said, 'They're right.' "

Rowe says the movie, which is rated R, will be advertised primarily during television programs aimed at adults. Children shouldn't be allowed to see it, anyway, he says.

Loren Smith of Wesley Chapel, an adoptive mother of six who works in the adoption field, says she remains worried about the implicit message in the movie.

"We invalidate the trauma many children have suffered, and once again victimize children who have not found safety with the adults charged to protect them," she says.

In late May, Adoptive Families magazine issued a warning to parents about the movie, recommending they write to Warner Bros and their local theater chains to protest.

Parents since have learned the movie has a twist that negates the premise of the adopted child as a dark seed.

But Stacey Fernandez of Lutz worries the movie could discourage someone from choosing an older child and wishes pop culture instead would celebrate the joy the children bring.

"Our adopted son is a blessing and is treated and loved as if I gave birth to him, and he loves us back the same way," she says. "And here's the clincher: He was 15 years old when we adopted him."

Casseday, who is on the staff at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, says he hopes the movie disappears quickly from theaters.

"I think most people will be wise enough to see this type of horror movie as having a ridiculous plot and probably not worth their while," he says.