The poster for the film, “Somebody’s Daughter.”
Montclair Film will host, in partnership with NJArts.net, a screening of the film “Somebody’s Daughter,” April 13 at 6 p.m. at The Clairidge in Montclair.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with singer-songwriter, author and adoptee advocate Zara Phillips (who performs in the film, and wrote its script and songs) and her husband, Richard Thompson (who created its score). I will moderate the event on behalf of NJArts.net.
Based on Phillips’ 2018 memoir “Somebody’s Daughter: A Moving Journey of Discovery, Recovery and Adoption” and recent one-woman show, the film, directed by Liam Galvin, explores her life, including her experiences as an adoptee, working as a backing vocalist in the 1980s, and achieving sobriety. As in real life, Phillips leans on humor and honesty to explore complex issues of family, identity and motherhood.
In the ’80s, Phillips sang with Bob Geldof, Matt Bianco, David Essex and others. She currently tours as a harmony vocalist with Thompson.
“I have always been drawn towards honest storytelling as I believe it is a way for us humans to truly understand one another,” Phillips said.
ZARA PHILLIPS
“I take risks with my work and I get as vulnerable as I can so that I too can hopefully help others the way others have helped me. Making this film and doing the work I do surrounding adoption and addiction is hugely cathartic for me and makes all the hard, painful stuff feel worthwhile, and gives it all a sense of purpose.”
I previously interviewed Phillips about her moving book and her emotive 2021 album, Meditation and KitKats. In the book, she recounts a painful and poignant journey of understanding and coping with the impact of adoption, searching for her birth parents, confronting addiction and recovery and dealing with reactions to sharing her experiences.
She explains in the book: “When one tells the truth about their own story, others will be involved who may have strong feelings about it. I tried to explain to the people I had close relationships with that the focus of this story is mine, that it is written from the inner journey of the adoptee. It caused some very difficult, hard conversations.”
ZARA PHILLIPS
She also has released a video (see below) featuring her song “Perfect Stranger” (from Meditation and KitKats), which will be featured in the movie.
This screening is an example of the ways Montclair Film brings community together, building empathy and shared experiences.
In a prior interview, Evie Colbert, president of the board of trustees of Montclair Film (which presents the Montclair Film Festival and organizes other events throughout the year), said:
“I think that everybody has a story to tell — not just one, lots of stories. And I think that we, as a country and a society and a world, are richer when anyone has the ability to tell their story. Giving someone the opportunity to talk about what’s important to them will make their life richer and will make the people who hear it (have a) life that’s richer as well.
“The fact that you might see something (at a Montclair Film event) that makes you uncomfortable or that you don’t understand or that moves you to tears or makes you laugh, and then talk about it with your neighbors and friends and come together in that shared experience … it makes for a powerful community.”
Tickets are available at theclairidge.org.
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
