A Simple Piece of Paper

In 2011 Illinois passed State House Bill 5428. It allowed Adult Adopted Persons to finally have a copy of their original birth certificates, making Illinois the largest state to reverse sealed record laws. While opponents of the Bill managed to include a “firewall,” letting birth parents opt out of revealing their names, the law opened the door for hundreds of people to access much desired and sometimes very important personal details. This deeply emotional documentary follows over a dozen individuals as they apply to the State of Illinois to discover the truth about their origins. Whether from a desire to know their biological family or the need to know genetic medical history, the film charts this pivotal moment in their lives. We are present when they receive their birth certificates and react to what is revealed. We also share the sometimes sad, sometimes wonderful results of these revelations. Thought-provoking and ultimately joyful, this film demonstrates how A SIMPLE PIECE OF PAPER can forever alter the course of a life. —C.R.