Hi everybody, this is Mattias - one of the directors of the film. A lot of people are asking about the biological mother in the comments, so I thought I'd just answer that here. Unfortunately all the clues about her that we had, like her name and address, lead us nowhere. After exhausting a lot of energy following up on these clues, we had to let it go. We weren't able to find out anything about her in the end. Other comments are asking for an update on what happened after the filming was done. Well, the families stayed in contact, and do so even until today. Emilio ended up moving back to Sweden to be near his family. And he's still a devoted Iron Maiden fan I hear.
Oh, he moved back. I thought that he changed his name as an indication that he was going to live, marry, have kids and grow old as a Colombian. But having that choice and ability to go back and forth between two “worlds” is such a privilege.
Thank you for the update. Hopefully one day someone will watch the video and say " I know that woman!" I will be honest I am glad Emilio has moved back to Sweden. He is his adoptive parents only child and it was obvious how much they missed him.
Preciosa historia. Tuvo suerte de ser adoptado y vivir con tanto amor. Hicieron de él un hombre con sólidos principios y respeto por sus raíces. Me gustó mucho ver todo el documento. Felicitaciones a sus padres suecos.
I'm relieved to read that Emilio went home. Bengt's heart seemed about broken when he left. Glad that they're all still in touch and the family was found. Good to know where your roots are -- and also who sacrificed to raise you.
Me heart went out to Bengt when he said he was afraid to loose his son but instead realized he gained a new family. Such a great and lovely family Emilio has, both in Sweden and in Colombia
What a beautiful story - congratulationa to all involved aa it is a very moving and poignant story of love and acceptance - also a first class tear jerker!!
I have an adopted child. I made sure she knew her roots, where she came from. She is 19 now and says that she ended up in the right place. I thank God for her.
she is lucky that you know how to handle the truth. anonymous IVF is even worse --- the "parents" pretend they are REAL. and this pretense is the inheritance of the stolen -- ie bought and paid for --- children.
And he said r u here for the inheritance all worried I'm sure he was concerned for him n his family about this but meanwhile hurting boy feeling it's ok tho bro I'm sure they didn't mean it but bring homeless hadda worried positive vibes to u
I am rasied in a foster parents home since birth (1972), and I see them as my real family, father and mother, I also have a biological family too (where I am born, they are from Finland but living in Sweden since 1964) , good contact with the siblings from there, and also some years ago found out a new DNA-father from a third family.. The family is only bigger, but still my foster family is 1st..
As a father, he was so insecure and possessive it made me sick. Parents like him are why many adoptees don't search, and why many commit suicide. Read The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier PhD.
I think empathy is important for his father , his uncle was right who has been the father here? That is not to say his biological father is denied now does it. We are not all experts hence open adoption seems to work better. I'm glad his found his family connections. God bless him
@@patriciatehaate236 it was the wording by the uncle, first asking if Emilio came for the inheritance (I've been asked that after finding bio family, what a joke) and saying that about his adoptive father so emphatically was just hurtful and not necessary. Emilio's bio family knew nothing about either of them until they showed up at the uncle's door. They have no idea what it was like for Emilio to grow up in that situation. People like to assume that adoption is all wonderful and good, when in fact it's hell for many of my #cribmates and they commit suicide at 4x the rate of the general population. 💔💔
@@BigBoss1R well, they appear from nowhere, i guess the uncle was reluctant. And the "my house is your house" just means that you're always welcome there.
You have to feel for both the adoptive father fearing he might lose his son and the son longing to know where/who he comes from. Father and son clearly love each other. Love the happy ending.
To go back to where he could’ve grown up…in poverty. Money isn’t everything. I grew up in central London in poverty. But his father took him to Sweden where he had a good life. A contrast to what could’ve been.
I adopted my daughter, but as a private adoption I decided to allow the birth mother to contact me and see her daughter. Best choice I made. She was never a question for my daughter.
So much respect for Bengt! He was unobtrusive and kept well back at crucial moments. What a dad! Any man can sire a child, but being a dad? Only the Bengts of this world! Respect Sir!😊
Indeed!!! Class it's not improvised and neither is true Love 😊🎉❤ wonderful true life story 😅 This Colombian woman, is sending Love to All involved 😮🎉❤ Thank You 😅
What a poor taste you have in your comment. It's his son, there's no "like son". The one who only gave the sperm in the process surely is not any real father. It's quite disgusting how the son is so quick to leave his true family for those strangers who are only related to him by blood of the sperm donor.
Emilio, your father is a great man. You can see how all this is worrying + affecting him emotionally. To him, you are not his adopted son but HIS SON. He was trying so hard to keep it inside but still, the uncertainty, worry and you changing your surname must have affected him. Like what you uncle said to you. Bengt is your father. Some fathers though biological are not the fathers who shouldered those responsibilities or shaped their childrens' lives. Happy that you have found your roots and now have 2 families. Cherish them.
I was thinking the same. Stress and sorrow can really shorten a person’s life span. I’m sure it’s unintentional, but he’s damaging the only father he is truly going to have.
@@mariaharrington8708 Like Emilio said - he wanted to know who he looked like - it's normal - he looks nothing like his adoptive parents and was probably confronted with that question every day in Europe and to add insult to injury - he couldn't explain because he was denied knowledge of his cultural and familial identity. Emilio's adoptive parents dumped the responsibility on him to discover his cultural and familial roots, hence why he changed his name without explanation and rightfully so. Whatever the story of his natural family - he fitted into Colombia right away - at last he was accepted. Probably for the first time in his life, Emilio wasn't ridiculed. He didn't need to explain who he was or apologise for his existence. Emilio's natural family accepted him and his adoptive father as a precious part of their family - this is what Emilio's adoptive parents should have done many years before - which was to embrace Emilio's natural family - knowing that Emilio suffered racist abuse in Sweden. Emilio may never know the full circumstances of why he was given up for adoption or whether his natural parents lived and died of a broken heart in not having contact with him. Emilio should have been allowed contact with his birth family while he was growing up - this is called an 'open' adoption and healthier for the adoptee. No matter how attached, adoptive parents must understand that adoptive children may be curious about and want to connect with their natural family. Moving Emilio to another continent and removing access to his natural family didn't remove him from his Colombian ancestral heritage or his need to know his natural family - in fact, it embedded it. Latinos are warm and welcoming by nature. So glad he got to see a picture of his Papa 🙏❤
❤ I am Colombian and one of my cousins was taken away by his mother 3 days after he was born. We still waiting for him to look for us. I am so happy you found your roots and meet some of your relatives. Also, how amazing parents you have! Your dad was so scared to lose you! It seems like you are his entire reason to live. So much love in this video!. I hope you can find your biological mother too.
These are all such beautiful, friendly people! You are a very wealthy young man, Emilio, with so many relatives. Bless you, all. Bengt, you will always be his father, because you raised him.
Beautiful story. Just PROVES, it's easy to create a son, it takes a REAL man to be a father. Good luck to ALL of you and God bless Swedish DAD👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️
Gotta love that precious adoptive father!! And what an amazing reuniting story. There was no question that they were all related. The family resemblances were all so strong. Thanks for a real heart warmer!❤
He gained a village And so did the son . They inherited a bigger Family together. It was Heartwarming. The dads intense love for his Son was just as beautiful as the family that opened their doors. It was sad and triumphant And for "Us" .... Captured on film. The Circle is complete.
@@larajones175 Not entirely agree with you. I didn’t like that first question “So did you came for the inheritance?”. No. “Then my house it’s your house and you are welcome anytime”. That puts things in the real perspective.
I agree, the uncle was concerned about the land which Emilio would be entitled to from the grandmother. He would get part of his fathers shared, even tho he was adopted. It seems there’s acres of land. If he got 1 acre, he could build a summer house at least and live there part of the time to get to know his extended family. Emilio was so happy to know them, and vise versa, but they should give him something if they have a lot of land.
i know. tbh it actually made me a bit angry this kid didnt spend one second comforting Bengt or saying dont worry youre always my Dad too (i havent reached the end so perhaps he did later but at this point - i feel soo sad for Bengt tbh)
@@DeannaSt I noticed that question too. Then when he found out that the adoptive father lived in Sweden he asked, “when are you going to take me home with you” that was pretty telling too!
This hit very close to home for me. I finally met my birth family when I was 34. Both parents had passed away but I had a living aunt and 11 half siblings. Of all of the children I looked exactly like my mom.. some family cried when they saw me. I have to really commend the father for his love and devotion to his son. It appeared very painful for him, but he went to Columbia anyway to support his son. Beautiful story.
His adoptive father is magnificent and as the uncle said, 'he is your father. stay with him' - or words to that effect. It's difficult for others who have always had family, how it's important to know where you come from, who you resemble - your place in the world. Each of us needs to feel 'grounded'.
This documentary was excellent. The telling of the story was straightforward and well paced. Such good people!! The absolute devotion of Bengt and the understable longing of Emelio to find his Kin. Such wisdom from the uncle in the country who, when he had recovered from the shock, told his nephew "you have a father and stick with him".such generosity from the whole family. Linda in Australia
Thank you for this heartwarming story. Thank you to Emilio and his adoptive Father Bengt, and Mother , and for all who were part of this amazing quest to find Emilio's family. Beautiful, just beautiful.🧡💛🙏
Linda historia... Imposible no llorar Al final, el padre adoptivo ( su verdadero padre) terminò siendo adoptado por toda la familia colombiana... El recibimiento, los abrazos, las fotos, la carne asada, todo y todo hicieron de esa historia de amor que Emilio se sienta en paz... Ahora q sabes de tus origenes, sigue con tu vida y agradece a tus padres en suecia y todos los que apoyaron tu travesia. ❤
My heart goes out to his adoptive father. This is his son. It must hurt to hear his son is looking for his "father" while his father is sitting right next to him. A very courageous and loving man to do this for his son.
I have a friend who was adopted and she said, that she needed to know her roots. For those who have natural parents around them, cannot understand this need of a child adopted. You need to see someone who resembles you. What a strong dad Emllio has to go out to this country again to be with the son he loves so much. Also Emllio, how wonderful to be loved so much by a man not your natural father.
Emilio was lucky from the mother’s womb ! A lot of children are unlucky to be raised by bad biological parents! His grandmother probably prayed for him! He is handsome and very lucky to have such adoptive loving parents! All my respect and love for them!
I have an adopted son. He is almost 15. We adopted him at birth and he has always known he is adopted. We promised him we will help him find his bio parents after he graduates high school if he wants to find them. He asked a bit about them (we met them when they were 8 months pregnant) through 5th grade but he hasn’t mentioned them since. We put him in therapy in 5th grade so he could talk through his emotions and get proper counseling to help him. He is our treasure and we acknowledge his bio parents on Mother’s and Father’s Day so he can see how appreciative we are toward them for allowing us to be his parents.
Beautiful film. I cried so much from the point his uncle Lazaro said that this is your real father. It was like a breath of fresh air came in the room❤❤❤
@@2ndhandSue exactly. Bengt might not be biological but his heart strings were so connected that he would follow his son across the world. That’s a father
@@fionashanahan7685 I suspect it was something that always bothered him, especially from the time in his childhood. When people asked him, how could he be Dutch. I think he just wanted to reclaim a part of his heritage so that he can reconnect with his Cuesta family. That doesn’t make him a nasty person that makes him a person who has been affected emotionally from childhood racial incidences that categorized him.
Bengt is an honorable man. My heart always aches when adoptive parents go through this type of situation even though I can't blame the adopted child for yearning to know their roots, even if it makes them look ungrateful. Blood is thicker than water. I would hope he finds out what happened to his biological mother so he can put all his worries to rest.
I was adopted by two wonderful people that loved me like I was their own that It never interested me to go looking for my biological parents. I was blessed . Because of my adoptive parents I know what love is. I will never understand why I was so fortunate. Mama Papa I miss you ❤️
For everything in the universe has it's opposite. There are many, MANY abused/neglected children in the world Thank God you had loving parents. Thank God❤
Me alegró mucho leer ésta historia! Emilio tienes una familia en Suecia y itra en Colombia. Tus verdaderos padres son los que te criaron! Me alegro que hayas encontrado tus raices, y que hayas sabido de la familia de tus padres en Colombia. Es una lástima que tu padre biológico esté muerto, y de que no se sepa nada de tu madre biológica, pero me imagino que si hubieran de pronto por las emisoras o canales de tv hecho un reportage como éste, muy seguramente habrías obtenido algún dato de tu mamá. Ahora tu alma puede estar tranquila porque sabes de donde vienes, y eso es muy importante! Pero no mires al pasado, tu vida está en el presente y en lo que viene! Tienes unos padres maravillosos, que te aman muchísimo! Abrazos y todo lo mejor 💛💙❤
The guys' father, his Swedish father, is his dad - the love he has for his son, and the hurt he feels over the "father" missing out on his son, is really sincere and heart felt
Excellent film! My mother was Colombian. I have family there today in several parts of the country , including Bogota. My mother came to United States in 1942 and married my father. She passed away in 2015. In 2010-12 I went to Colombia to see and experience the culture of my mother and my extended family there. I loved it! But I also came home to the US and kissed the ground. America is a special country. At least it was then. Now Colombia is very tempting to relocate to. 😮❤ what a beautiful story. My heart was deeply touched by his adopted father. True love ❤️ is not always bood. Family is such a gift. Thank you for sharing!
Mis respetos para el papá adoptivo. Ojalá el hijo sepa reconocer el gran padre que tiene porque el es su verdadero padre. Dios bendiga a estos padres adoptivos
He is not his "real" father. He brought him up and loves him but his real father is his biological father. Blood is thicker than water. I hope despite everything that his mother will be found.
The yearning to find your biological family and where you're from must be so extreme to want to leave a family that loves you as much as his adoptive parents do. He's blessed in so many ways and i hope he knows that.
His Adopted family truly is his family. His biological mother abandoned him And the biological father drank himself to death. Anyone can be A Mother or father It takes someone to be a parent. They're his Parents. So Happy in the end as well . His life was Great because of it. He now has A village of Family members . And his Dad has inherited them as well.
He definitely understands. Knowing the story and expanding the family is the effect of his search. Everyine is happy and they will all visit hopefully many times in the future. Parents do the best they can. We have no right to judge Anastasio and Maria. We have no idea the conditiontions under which they survived and died.
I think he is well aware. It's a testament to how well they've raised him that he feels safe to explore who he really is without being "ungrateful" or losing their love. Most of us take the knowledge of who we are for granted and i can see just how important this was for him. He should not be expected to suppress this massive part of his identity to preserve his parents' feelings.
It kind of broke my heart seeing his adopted father feel so betrayed by him changing his name. I totally understand him moving to Colombia and learning about his roots. But to change your name legally...it's like throwing out a beautiful handmade gift. My biological father was a complete failure. Didn't even try to take care of us. Abused my mother and then abandoned us when she finally divorced him. My stepfather always treated us like strangers, second-class citizens compared to his bio kids and made sure to impress upon us how much of a burden we were... Never blessed with an adoptive father like yours! I hope you appreciate him and one day change your name back to the one the Universe gifted you with on this journey💔
He did not apriciate what he got, not realizing how luck he was. He did not understand that he was given to adoption because biological family did not need him. Of course it's good to learn about own roots, culture..., but he can be Columbian in Sweden.
For me Emilio is ungratefull, he is so lucky to have such adoring Swedish parents. I felt so sorry for his Swedish father, his son changing his name… Emilio does not deserve such amazing father…
Pretty amazing the Swedish parents managed to stay married through all their trials and tribulations throughout their marriage especially in the beginning when having children wasnt a success and then not agreeing on adoption right away. Says alot about their character.
LondsomeDove - And then Emilio ended up being their only child. At the beginning of the video they were saying they wanted lots of children when they got married, and the Dad even said "20 children" and they both laughed. I wonder why they didn't go for another adoption after Emilio. They were wonderful parents!
And these days people divorce for the silliest of reasons,not taking into account how much their children will suffer. Totally selfish and without backbone. Problems can be solved and resolved if both sides are intelligent enough and can even strengthen a marriage
@@angelaberni8873that's not true, some people are born of incest, rape, terrible things happen. Its not always possible to have a happy ending, in that sense. And in almost all families, bad things are not broadcasted
Tears. Amazing families of generous, loving people. As an adoptee and mother of five children through adoption this story resonated through me on so many levels. Thank you for recording this journey.
@@2ndhandSue So many things, our countries are not safe, unfortunately, it was not like that say 50 or 60 years ago .... Violence related to drugs and I guess in Colombia the guerrilla M-19, so sad. I hope this young man realizes how lucky he was that this Swedish couple chose him and loved him so dearly and gave him a real home with all their love.
@@amiquigonzales7917 I think the adopted family looked after him well, and gave him access to good food and stability. I say good food because he is so much taller than everyone!
@@edwright480 So true ... Being adequately nourished is something. When you live in a rich society where this is just part of everyday life for everyone, nothing special, you can't realize how lucky you are ... until you go to a poor country and try to live like the locals, with THEIR BUDGET. Then you realize how incredibly lucky you are.
I’m a Swedish woman with an adopted daughter, now 26 years, from Vietnam. We had her when she was 3 months. She’s never been interested in her biological parents, although many have asked. Everybody is different. ❤️
This is a story worth telling and one worth watching. Every one of those people have found a new family member they didn't know existed before. How can you not cry over giving birth to a 30 yr old. Pun intended. God Bless every one of them. Also, everyone who helped them go in the right direction. I full expected the search to end in disappointment. For an adoption story to end like this is rare. Congratulations to all.
I really loved this story. I'm so happy that the young man found his Bio family and that is his dad was with him on his journey . What a beautiful family he has.
My heart cries of joy for this. The whole clan picture in the end and adoptee Father hugs on him is very touching ❤❤❤. Emptiness is filled-up , overflowing with that picnic on his Uncle's house he has offered , the joy of reunited family .❤
such a beautiful story, the most crazy part is the extraordinary path that his Swedish father took and the internal process he went through. Love it so much
I absolutly loved this heartfelt story. The journey finding the roots but also so pain from Bengt worried what it all ment for the future. So happy about the ending and that they both grew in the story.
Well. That was brilliant. I'm sitting hear sobbing at my desk (good thing I'm the boss!). Not sure how I came to be watching this, but what a joy. Such powerful journeys for both Emilio and Bengt - and Bengt's story is one rarely told. What honesty from both men. It all seemed like an essential rite of passage; a coming to terms requiring hiraeth, adventure, courage, truth, separation and reconciliation. Bittersweet start to finish, but that huge blossoming of love at the end has got me in the guts. Great film-making.
Beautiful ending, wonderful real life story. I cried throughout the documentary. It's really well made, it makes you feel part of the search, the pain and the love father and son share. Emilio's search for his roots is so important, it doesn't mean he doesn't love his adoptive father, it's to do with his identity. It's important to realize that we all have the right to know where we come from. Emilio got his answers and he also connected with his father at a deeper level.
This touched my heart, i was adopted from Bogota in 1980. It just really was like looking through time. The orphage looked like La Casa de la Madre Y el Nino from photos that my parents gave me. I was searching for my picture on the wall! Hopefully someday I can go back!
I hope you can visit Bogota one day and you also find some closure or solace. I can never know how you feel to be removed from your biological family and home country. I do however hope that where you landed in the world was a place with love and joy.
@@catchyname5403 He wasn't removed .The Biological mother Gave him up And the biological father drank himself to death. Did he have a huge Family YES! But , No one raised him. He was Abandoned in an orphanage.
situation was really tough back then, many children were given to adoption others were robbed many things happend, you can't imagine. I was borned and raised in bogotá, let me know in case you would like to know or being in contact to people who do the investigation process. Adiós paisana (that means bye sister from the same country)
This documentary is noted as 2 years ago but seems like it was filmed many years ago. That being said, does anyone know whether Emilio still lives in Colombia or did he go back to Sweden after finding his extended family? At 15:19 his mother left him with his father and was listed on record as abandoning the household. He was told by his extended family that his father had two options, 1) to send him to the orphanage or 2) to have him raised by his paternal grandmother. The beauty I noted in this documentary (among many things) was that his Swedish adoptive father was meant to be right there by his side holding his hand and in turn the universe gave this man the most beautiful "thank you" as so many adopted parents deserve. The part in the begining where he said. "I hate Colombia" (this was only out fear that he would loose his son) to then say in the end that he didn't just gain a son, he gained a village. 💛💙❤
@@user-H65where did you see 1977? I figured 1983 based on his biological fathers year of birth (1943) plus 40 years. 1983 plus 30, so documentary around 2013.
It says Emilio was born in 1977 in the blurb which I guess was written by whoever uploaded the content. It could be wrong, I also noticed the 1943/40 years old detail.
Hi! You're right - the film was made a while back. Filmed in 2008 and initially released on Swedish television in 2010. Since then it's been available at my film platform Campfire Stories and released freely on RUclips two years ago. It had 1000 views over the first two years and has had an explosive (as of the moment I write this) 160 000 views in the last 2-3 weeks. Sometimes it takes a while for a film to find its audience :)
Amazing acts of bravery, for Emilio, to find his roots and story of where he came from, and his father for taking the leap to go to Colombia to support his son, no matter how frightening. What more can you ask for from a parent? In the end, they both grew from the experience. Thank you for sharing this story ❤
This is the most touching and beautiful story I have seen in ages! These people are all blessed to know each other. When the old uncle suddenly said, in his little house, that Emilio must love his adoptive father and stay with him, I almost cried. Before that, I was so sad for him thinking he was going to lose his son. Wonderful wonderful family story. Bravo, Emilio y Papa!
Emilio termine tu vídeo con mucha emoción en mi corazón, viendo la reunión familiar en la casa de tus tíos, la Foto familiar donde tú tenías en tu pecho la Foto de tu padre, y me conmovió mucho ver a tu papá abrazándote con mucho cariño y amor, me gusto mucho ver cómo tu familia de Colombia te recibieron muy contentos. Ver la felicidad de tu papá adoptivo eso me llegó al corazón, porque el realmente te ama y tu mamá también, tuviste la suerte que te adoptaran y darte una vida diferente. Que Dios bendiga a ti y a tus dos familias por siempre y que las reuniones sean más seguido para que no pierdan los lazos familiares. 🙏🙋🏻♀️
So hard and complicated these adoption mysteries that make up that sense of incompleteness of an adopted child and the angst of the parents who really raised and love him... but this one was resolved, the empty spaces finally filled.... hopefully he can move ahead with his life now with even more appreciation for his loving and supportive parents.
It advanced but it wasn't totally resolved. He never met his mum. This is a roller-coaster for anybody going through this. Sending Emilio, his Swedish parents and the Colombian family all the very best.
I was so moved by this story and the wonderful video made by Campfire Stories. Very well done. I'm also an adoptive mother. My daughter's birth parents are both Mexican. I raised her bilingually here in California. The sad part is she died of brain cancer at age 9-1/2. It's been 16 years and I miss her every day. She never had a chance to meet her birth family although she had a little photo album of pictures of them. But I was waiting for her to say she wanted to. I reconnected with them after Maya died and gave them photos and videos of her. We're friends still. She would have been an auntie.
What a journey for the parents and the young man. I admire how his father went even to that place he didn’t quite like to be there for his son. True love ❤
I am a closed adoptee - from my own country - that was, and is bad enough - to be closed adopted and taken MILES away from your family, sometimes 100's of miles - from ALL your family - not just your parents but ALL your family, your grandparents, your siblings, your cousins, your aunts and uncles - these adoptees from Russia. Colombia, India, Korea - you name it - THEY HAVE FAMILY - MOST WERE NOT ORPHANS and had family that could have taken them in or wanted them. Thier their society and governments often failed these children, as it failed me in the 60's. Many adoptees can never travel back, or afford to pay a researcher to find their family of origin. Many cannot find paper work. Many are lied to by officials. Many will never be able to be reunited with their family of origin. And many if they are cannot speak the same language. Cannot relate to the culture and the "reunion" often ends in tears, frustration and much confusion. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THEM ALL.
So much love for Emilio . Finding his family of birth origin. Culture and heritage is deep in our DNA, language, land, music, culture. You may live in another country but traditions, customs, language it is huge. Identity is huge.
Hello it’s wonderful when adopted people have their questions answered about their past, it fills in all the nagging questions about their beginnings, well done to everyone who made this possible 👍💜💜🙂🏴
WOW. Emilio looks just like his biological father and family. They must have been in shock when they saw his face. I cried through this entire doc. I hope his heart is filled and settled. That last shot was...perfect. Great work, Mattias and the other filmmakers.
I cried. BEAUTIFUL INSPIRING PEOPLE. My heart nearly broke for Bengt. What an insanely special amazing man. babies are easy to create. It takes a REAL man to be an awesome father❤❤❤
Second time I watched this. I love it. Glad to see he learned why being adopted was the best thing that.could have happened to him I wish this was an ongoing reality show
Emilio...tu historia me hizo llorar. Digo TU historia pero me refiero tambien a tu padre (Bengt). Yo en muy pocas ocasiones he llorado, pero tu busqueda e incognitas han de haber sido muy dificiles... y tu padre...ESE ES UN PADRE! Hizo a un lado su dolor, el dolor que surgia del amor a ti y por ti , PARA APOYARTE en tu busqueda. Eso, Emilio, eso es ser padre. En mi humilde opinion, lo mejor de todo es que ahora tu, tu padre y tu madre tienen mas familia. La familia de Colombia. Felicidades!!!
I LOVE stories like these. ❤ My husband is from Mexico. We've reunited him with his family. Not adopted. Just estranged. It's just the best feeling in the world.
What a wonderful story. His adoptive parents obviously adore him, then he found his birth family who are lovely. You could see his uncle and aunt didnt have much, but his uncle offered them potatoes and grilled meat. I hope Emilios life has continued to be good and happy x
Where is his BROTHER??? He is only 8 years older than him. Why isn't anyone mentioning HIM or any other siblings? Was the 8 year old given up for adoption also? So, what happened to his father and why no grave? It is a wonderful story! Thank you!
I understand his desire, and his adopted fathers fear. I can't wait to see his biofather's reaction. Your son is tall, strong, intelligent. You haven't lost him, he is growing. Nothing can replace your 30 years of nurturing. I would be curious of my bio parents too. Yes, mom, I understand. You two have so much love to give; bless you for your adoption. Your eldest flew the nest, as is nature, and I understand your unease. Have faith that is the way of the world, and he will fly back to see you. Don't think for a MOMENT that love is wasted. Love shown to a child is NEVER wasted. OMG that's a tear jerker. Combined, extended family is the BEST possible outcome! So many hugs to you guys!
His adoptive parents got the privilege of doing the hard work, loving him, caring for him, providing for him, watching over him, assuring that he thrived to adulthood and beyond. There is more to being a father than making a baby, but in parenting and loving that child into adulthood. So Bengt is his father!
His uncle rightly pointed out to Emilio that Bengt, who until this point was heartbroken, is his real father and I'm so glad he did, as someone had to. The uncle is a truly good and wise man. I wonder if he ever found his birth mother, and if he remained in Colombia.
What a lovely young man ...and his adoptive parents are so loving even though they must have felt rejected when he changed his name and started searching..... But I also understand the need of an adopted child to find their roots.
In the end the cousin tells her mother “my mother, I present to you the son of my uncle Jose” and she replies “welcome home my son” she then says “I never imagined this son existed” while wiping her tears she says “but who?” The ending was very emotional definitely made me teary eyed especially knowing this is her deceased brothers child that she up until that point, had no knowledge of his existence.
Hi everybody, this is Mattias - one of the directors of the film. A lot of people are asking about the biological mother in the comments, so I thought I'd just answer that here. Unfortunately all the clues about her that we had, like her name and address, lead us nowhere. After exhausting a lot of energy following up on these clues, we had to let it go. We weren't able to find out anything about her in the end. Other comments are asking for an update on what happened after the filming was done. Well, the families stayed in contact, and do so even until today. Emilio ended up moving back to Sweden to be near his family. And he's still a devoted Iron Maiden fan I hear.
Oh, he moved back. I thought that he changed his name as an indication that he was going to live, marry, have kids and grow old as a Colombian. But having that choice and ability to go back and forth between two “worlds” is such a privilege.
Thank you for the update. Hopefully one day someone will watch the video and say " I know that woman!"
I will be honest I am glad Emilio has moved back to Sweden. He is his adoptive parents only child and it was obvious how much they missed him.
Preciosa historia. Tuvo suerte de ser adoptado y vivir con tanto amor. Hicieron de él un hombre con sólidos principios y respeto por sus raíces.
Me gustó mucho ver todo el documento.
Felicitaciones a sus padres suecos.
I'm relieved to read that Emilio went home. Bengt's heart seemed about broken when he left. Glad that they're all still in touch and the family was found. Good to know where your roots are -- and also who sacrificed to raise you.
Thanks for the update.
Me heart went out to Bengt when he said he was afraid to loose his son but instead realized he gained a new family. Such a great and lovely family Emilio has, both in Sweden and in Colombia
that was my very thought too . what a nice young man .
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What a beautiful story - congratulationa to all involved aa it is a very moving and poignant story of love and acceptance - also a first class tear jerker!!
Que bella historia! Que bondad y cuánto amor de su padre y que exponga es y cariñosa su familia colombiana!!
@@campfire-stories
Did Emilio go home ?
I would hope he did.
I have an adopted child. I made sure she knew her roots, where she came from. She is 19 now and says that she ended up in the right place. I thank God for her.
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Me too! It’s important. May God bless everyone in this story. Good people ❤️May God bless you too Sarah ❤️
she is lucky that you know how to handle the truth. anonymous IVF is even worse --- the "parents" pretend they are REAL. and this pretense is the inheritance of the stolen -- ie bought and paid for --- children.
@@campfire-storiesI’m was adopted from Colombia and I want to find my biological parents as well.
@@Colombian-momgood luck! ❤❤
Emilio has amazing adoptive parents, amazing father that loves him unconditionally. Like the uncle told Emilio, “this is your real father”.
And he said r u here for the inheritance all worried I'm sure he was concerned for him n his family about this but meanwhile hurting boy feeling it's ok tho bro I'm sure they didn't mean it but bring homeless hadda worried positive vibes to u
I am rasied in a foster parents home since birth (1972), and I see them as my real family, father and mother, I also have a biological family too (where I am born, they are from Finland but living in Sweden since 1964) , good contact with the siblings from there, and also some years ago found out a new DNA-father from a third family.. The family is only bigger, but still my foster family is 1st..
Yes, a father appointed by God, out of love for Emilio.
😅😅
@@rolandojose6949⁹
I have huge respect and gratitude to his father Bengt. As a father he couldn't stay back home. He was worried about his son's safety.
Quite right!
As a father, he was so insecure and possessive it made me sick. Parents like him are why many adoptees don't search, and why many commit suicide. Read The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier PhD.
I think empathy is important for his father , his uncle was right who has been the father here? That is not to say his biological father is denied now does it. We are not all experts hence open adoption seems to work better. I'm glad his found his family connections. God bless him
@@patriciatehaate236 it was the wording by the uncle, first asking if Emilio came for the inheritance (I've been asked that after finding bio family, what a joke) and saying that about his adoptive father so emphatically was just hurtful and not necessary. Emilio's bio family knew nothing about either of them until they showed up at the uncle's door. They have no idea what it was like for Emilio to grow up in that situation. People like to assume that adoption is all wonderful and good, when in fact it's hell for many of my #cribmates and they commit suicide at 4x the rate of the general population. 💔💔
Absolutely bless his cotton socks
The best moment in this story was when his biological uncle pointed to Bengt and said, "This is your real father, stick with him. This is the truth."
Totally agree!
Hombre sabio el tío ❤
@@BigBoss1R Perhaps the bio father drank himself to death somewhere his family couldn't find him
Well said
@@BigBoss1R well, they appear from nowhere, i guess the uncle was reluctant. And the "my house is your house" just means that you're always welcome there.
Its moves me to tears how much Love his adoptive Father has for him. What a great Man he is. Hats off to You Sir ( Bengt)
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You have to feel for both the adoptive father fearing he might lose his son and the son longing to know where/who he comes from. Father and son clearly love each other. Love the happy ending.
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It is inevitable to want to meet own biological parents.....better 4 than 2!!!!! 😉
To go back to where he could’ve grown up…in poverty. Money isn’t everything. I grew up in central London in poverty. But his father took him to Sweden where he had a good life. A contrast to what could’ve been.
The adoptive dad loved his son so dearly
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Heartbreaking
'loves' and I'm sure will always
Only to be disrespected by his son changing his name back to his biological family name soo sad
I adopted my daughter, but as a private adoption I decided to allow the birth mother to contact me and see her daughter. Best choice I made. She was never a question for my daughter.
So much respect for Bengt! He was unobtrusive and kept well back at crucial moments. What a dad! Any man can sire a child, but being a dad? Only the Bengts of this world! Respect Sir!😊
So true!
Indeed!!!
Class it's not improvised and neither is true Love 😊🎉❤ wonderful true life story 😅 This Colombian woman, is sending Love to All involved 😮🎉❤
Thank You 😅
His adoptive father truly loves him like a son!
He is the Parent. Anyone can be a father It takes someone to be a "Parent" Like the uncle said He is "your" Dad.
He IS his son. Not "like" a son.
That is because he IS his son
No he doesn't. Everything Bengt did was for his own ego.
What a poor taste you have in your comment. It's his son, there's no "like son". The one who only gave the sperm in the process surely is not any real father. It's quite disgusting how the son is so quick to leave his true family for those strangers who are only related to him by blood of the sperm donor.
Emilio, your father is a great man. You can see how all this is worrying + affecting him emotionally. To him, you are not his adopted son but HIS SON. He was trying so hard to keep it inside but still, the uncertainty, worry and you changing your surname must have affected him. Like what you uncle said to you. Bengt is your father. Some fathers though biological are not the fathers who shouldered those responsibilities or shaped their childrens' lives. Happy that you have found your roots and now have 2 families. Cherish them.
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Exactly ❤
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I was thinking the same. Stress and sorrow can really shorten a person’s life span. I’m sure it’s unintentional, but he’s damaging the only father he is truly going to have.
@@mariaharrington8708 Like Emilio said - he wanted to know who he looked like - it's normal - he looks nothing like his adoptive parents and was probably confronted with that question every day in Europe and to add insult to injury - he couldn't explain because he was denied knowledge of his cultural and familial identity. Emilio's adoptive parents dumped the responsibility on him to discover his cultural and familial roots, hence why he changed his name without explanation and rightfully so.
Whatever the story of his natural family - he fitted into Colombia right away - at last he was accepted. Probably for the first time in his life, Emilio wasn't ridiculed. He didn't need to explain who he was or apologise for his existence. Emilio's natural family accepted him and his adoptive father as a precious part of their family - this is what Emilio's adoptive parents should have done many years before - which was to embrace Emilio's natural family - knowing that Emilio suffered racist abuse in Sweden.
Emilio may never know the full circumstances of why he was given up for adoption or whether his natural parents lived and died of a broken heart in not having contact with him.
Emilio should have been allowed contact with his birth family while he was growing up - this is called an 'open' adoption and healthier for the adoptee.
No matter how attached, adoptive parents must understand that adoptive children may be curious about and want to connect with their natural family.
Moving Emilio to another continent and removing access to his natural family didn't remove him from his Colombian ancestral heritage or his need to know his natural family - in fact, it embedded it. Latinos are warm and welcoming by nature.
So glad he got to see a picture of his Papa 🙏❤
❤ I am Colombian and one of my cousins was taken away by his mother 3 days after he was born. We still waiting for him to look for us. I am so happy you found your roots and meet some of your relatives. Also, how amazing parents you have! Your dad was so scared to lose you! It seems like you are his entire reason to live. So much love in this video!. I hope you can find your biological mother too.
What is his colombian name?
These are all such beautiful, friendly people! You are a very wealthy young man, Emilio, with so many relatives. Bless you, all. Bengt, you will always be his father, because you raised him.
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Beautiful story. Just PROVES, it's easy to create a son, it takes a REAL man to be a father. Good luck to ALL of you and God bless Swedish DAD👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️
I agree, BEAUTIFUL KIND FAMILY. Swedish one deservesALL the love in the Universe❤❤❤
Gotta love that precious adoptive father!! And what an amazing reuniting story. There was no question that they were all related. The family resemblances were all so strong. Thanks for a real heart warmer!❤
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lucky for him to have adopted by caring persons
Very true!
My heart truly goes out to Bengt.
bengt can adopt me anytime and replace my shitty biological dad
Exactamente, desde el inicio empaticé con su confusión y tristeza pero luego su participación y sonrisa en Colombia me dio esperanza de un final feliz
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What a beautiful story. At first I felt sad for his dad, but all ended well.
My thoughts exactly!
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I feel so sorry for the adoptive father! It would be so scary to think you might lose the child you have raised and loved for so many years!
He gained a village And so did the son . They inherited a bigger Family together. It was Heartwarming. The dads intense love for his Son was just as beautiful as the family that opened their doors. It was sad and triumphant And for "Us" .... Captured on film. The Circle is complete.
@@larajones175
Not entirely agree with you.
I didn’t like that first question “So did you came for the inheritance?”.
No.
“Then my house it’s your house and you are welcome anytime”.
That puts things in the real perspective.
I agree, the uncle was concerned about the land which Emilio would be entitled to from the grandmother. He would get part of his fathers shared, even tho he was adopted. It seems there’s acres of land. If he got 1 acre, he could build a summer house at least and live there part of the time to get to know his extended family. Emilio was so happy to know them, and vise versa, but they should give him something if they have a lot of land.
i know. tbh it actually made me a bit angry this kid didnt spend one second comforting Bengt or saying dont worry youre always my Dad too (i havent reached the end so perhaps he did later but at this point - i feel soo sad for Bengt tbh)
@@DeannaSt I noticed that question too. Then when he found out that the adoptive father lived in Sweden he asked, “when are you going to take me home with you” that was pretty telling too!
This hit very close to home for me. I finally met my birth family when I was 34. Both parents had passed away but I had a living aunt and 11 half siblings. Of all of the children I looked exactly like my mom.. some family cried when they saw me. I have to really commend the father for his love and devotion to his son. It appeared very painful for him, but he went to Columbia anyway to support his son. Beautiful story.
His adoptive father is magnificent and as the uncle said, 'he is your father. stay with him' - or words to that effect. It's difficult for others who have always had family, how it's important to know where you come from, who you resemble - your place in the world. Each of us needs to feel 'grounded'.
This documentary was excellent. The telling of the story was straightforward and well paced. Such good people!! The absolute devotion of Bengt and the understable longing of Emelio to find his Kin. Such wisdom from the uncle in the country who, when he had recovered from the shock, told his nephew "you have a father and stick with him".such generosity from the whole family. Linda in Australia
I feel so sorry for Bengt and his wife. The love they have is so pure.
The father is the hero in this story. My heart goes to him.
Thank you for this heartwarming story. Thank you to Emilio and his adoptive Father Bengt, and Mother , and for all who were part of this amazing quest to find Emilio's family. Beautiful, just beautiful.🧡💛🙏
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The best part was when the uncle told him that Bengt was his father now. Go back home! Love that!
Linda historia...
Imposible no llorar
Al final, el padre adoptivo ( su verdadero padre) terminò siendo adoptado por toda la familia colombiana...
El recibimiento, los abrazos, las fotos, la carne asada, todo y todo hicieron de esa historia de amor que Emilio se sienta en paz...
Ahora q sabes de tus origenes, sigue con tu vida y agradece a tus padres en suecia y todos los que apoyaron tu travesia. ❤
Bien dicho. ❤
My heart goes out to his adoptive father. This is his son. It must hurt to hear his son is looking for his "father" while his father is sitting right next to him. A very courageous and loving man to do this for his son.
I have a friend who was adopted and she said, that she needed to know her roots. For those who have natural parents around them, cannot understand this need of a child adopted. You need to see someone who resembles you. What a strong dad Emllio has to go out to this country again to be with the son he loves so much. Also Emllio, how wonderful to be loved so much by a man not your natural father.
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Emilio was lucky from the mother’s womb ! A lot of children are unlucky to be raised by bad biological parents! His grandmother probably prayed for him! He is handsome and very lucky to have such adoptive loving parents!
All my respect and love for them!
I have an adopted son. He is almost 15. We adopted him at birth and he has always known he is adopted. We promised him we will help him find his bio parents after he graduates high school if he wants to find them. He asked a bit about them (we met them when they were 8 months pregnant) through 5th grade but he hasn’t mentioned them since. We put him in therapy in 5th grade so he could talk through his emotions and get proper counseling to help him. He is our treasure and we acknowledge his bio parents on Mother’s and Father’s Day so he can see how appreciative we are toward them for allowing us to be his parents.
Beautiful film. I cried so much from the point his uncle Lazaro said that this is your real father. It was like a breath of fresh air came in the room❤❤❤
I didn't like the term "real father". Bengt was his REAL father, not the bio father who abandoned him.
The man who gave up his son could never be the real father.
Omg how could he change his name and acts like the people that brought him up don't matter what a nasty person
@@2ndhandSue exactly. Bengt might not be biological but his heart strings were so connected that he would follow his son across the world. That’s a father
@@fionashanahan7685 I suspect it was something that always bothered him, especially from the time in his childhood. When people asked him, how could he be Dutch. I think he just wanted to reclaim a part of his heritage so that he can reconnect with his Cuesta family. That doesn’t make him a nasty person that makes him a person who has been affected emotionally from childhood racial incidences that categorized him.
We all want to be adopted by Bengt, he’s so sweet!
Bengt is an honorable man. My heart always aches when adoptive parents go through this type of situation even though I can't blame the adopted child for yearning to know their roots, even if it makes them look ungrateful. Blood is thicker than water. I would hope he finds out what happened to his biological mother so he can put all his worries to rest.
I was adopted by two wonderful people that loved me like I was their own that It never interested me to go looking for my biological parents. I was blessed . Because of my adoptive parents I know what love is. I will never understand why I was so fortunate. Mama Papa I miss you ❤️
For everything in the universe has it's opposite. There are many, MANY abused/neglected children in the world Thank God you had loving parents. Thank God❤
Me alegró mucho leer ésta historia! Emilio tienes una familia en Suecia y itra en Colombia. Tus verdaderos padres son los que te criaron! Me alegro que hayas encontrado tus raices, y que hayas sabido de la familia de tus padres en Colombia. Es una lástima que tu padre biológico esté muerto, y de que no se sepa nada de tu madre biológica, pero me imagino que si hubieran de pronto por las emisoras o canales de tv hecho un reportage como éste, muy seguramente habrías obtenido algún dato de tu mamá. Ahora tu alma puede estar tranquila porque sabes de donde vienes, y eso es muy importante! Pero no mires al pasado, tu vida está en el presente y en lo que viene! Tienes unos padres maravillosos, que te aman muchísimo! Abrazos y todo lo mejor
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The guys' father, his Swedish father, is his dad - the love he has for his son, and the hurt he feels over the "father" missing out on his son, is really sincere and heart felt
You have one heck of a dad in you adoptive father. Not many men would walk through this with their adored son. They would be to selfish.
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More like psycho-adoptive "parents", stalking a grown-ass man around the world.
Excellent film! My mother was Colombian. I have family there today in several parts of the country , including Bogota. My mother came to United States in 1942 and married my father. She passed away in 2015. In 2010-12 I went to Colombia to see and experience the culture of my mother and my extended family there. I loved it! But I also came home to the US and kissed the ground. America is a special country. At least it was then. Now Colombia is very tempting to relocate to. 😮❤ what a beautiful story. My heart was deeply touched by his adopted father. True love ❤️ is not always bood. Family is such a gift. Thank you for sharing!
Mis respetos para el papá adoptivo. Ojalá el hijo sepa reconocer el gran padre que tiene porque el es su verdadero padre. Dios bendiga a estos padres adoptivos
He is not his "real" father. He brought him up and loves him but his real father is his biological father. Blood is thicker than water. I hope despite everything that his mother will be found.
@@Anon.5216 my thoughts too.
I cried with this story and how humble the cuesta family is and how strong is the love of Mr Bengt. God bless them all. ❤
The yearning to find your biological family and where you're from must be so extreme to want to leave a family that loves you as much as his adoptive parents do. He's blessed in so many ways and i hope he knows that.
His Adopted family truly is his family. His biological mother abandoned him And the biological father drank himself to death. Anyone can be A Mother or father It takes someone to be a parent. They're his Parents. So Happy in the end as well . His life was Great because of it. He now has A village of Family members . And his Dad has inherited them as well.
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He definitely understands. Knowing the story and expanding the family is the effect of his search. Everyine is happy and they will all visit hopefully many times in the future. Parents do the best they can. We have no right to judge Anastasio and Maria. We have no idea the conditiontions under which they survived and died.
@@MetalRat518 Totally agree. So much judgement against Emilio's natural parents. I don't doubt that they loved their son 👑
I think he is well aware. It's a testament to how well they've raised him that he feels safe to explore who he really is without being "ungrateful" or losing their love. Most of us take the knowledge of who we are for granted and i can see just how important this was for him. He should not be expected to suppress this massive part of his identity to preserve his parents' feelings.
It kind of broke my heart seeing his adopted father feel so betrayed by him changing his name. I totally understand him moving to Colombia and learning about his roots. But to change your name legally...it's like throwing out a beautiful handmade gift. My biological father was a complete failure. Didn't even try to take care of us. Abused my mother and then abandoned us when she finally divorced him. My stepfather always treated us like strangers, second-class citizens compared to his bio kids and made sure to impress upon us how much of a burden we were... Never blessed with an adoptive father like yours! I hope you appreciate him and one day change your name back to the one the Universe gifted you with on this journey💔
He did not apriciate what he got, not realizing how luck he was. He did not understand that he was given to adoption because biological family did not need him. Of course it's good to learn about own roots, culture..., but he can be Columbian in Sweden.
i think he should stay in colombia and join the a.s.f.a.r.k.
Yeah. At least his uncle talked some sense into him. Maybe he will see the light
For me Emilio is ungratefull, he is so lucky to have such adoring Swedish parents. I felt so sorry for his Swedish father, his son changing his name… Emilio does not deserve such amazing father…
As a child he was asked why he had a Swedish name given that he was Columbian. This probably had a very deep impact on him hence the name change.
What a great family story. Emilio and parents now have another huge family. Thanks for the share. Cheers!
Thanks for watching!
@@campfire-stories, welcome!
Pretty amazing the Swedish parents managed to stay married through all their trials and tribulations throughout their marriage especially in the beginning when having children wasnt a success and then not agreeing on adoption right away. Says alot about their character.
LondsomeDove - And then Emilio ended up being their only child. At the beginning of the video they were saying they wanted lots of children when they got married, and the Dad even said "20 children" and they both laughed. I wonder why they didn't go for another adoption after Emilio. They were wonderful parents!
And these days people divorce for the silliest of reasons,not taking into account how much their children will suffer. Totally selfish and without backbone. Problems can be solved and resolved if both sides are intelligent enough and can even strengthen a marriage
@@2ndhandSue Agreed.
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@@angelaberni8873that's not true, some people are born of incest, rape, terrible things happen. Its not always possible to have a happy ending, in that sense. And in almost all families, bad things are not broadcasted
That was an amazing story, and an absolute joy to watch. All parties involved seem like really lovely people. Beautiful work Mattias!
Thank you so much! 💚
Tears. Amazing families of generous, loving people. As an adoptee and mother of five children through adoption this story resonated through me on so many levels. Thank you for recording this journey.
You are so welcome!
The amount of security needed at the hospital makes me thankful for my country.
Yes, that level of security shocked me. What kinds of problems caused the hospital to resort to that?
@@2ndhandSue So many things, our countries are not safe, unfortunately, it was not like that say 50 or 60 years ago .... Violence related to drugs and I guess in Colombia the guerrilla M-19, so sad. I hope this young man realizes how lucky he was that this Swedish couple chose him and loved him so dearly and gave him a real home with all their love.
@@amiquigonzales7917 I think the adopted family looked after him well, and gave him access to good food and stability. I say good food because he is so much taller than everyone!
@@edwright480 So true ... Being adequately nourished is something. When you live in a rich society where this is just part of everyday life for everyone, nothing special, you can't realize how lucky you are ... until you go to a poor country and try to live like the locals, with THEIR BUDGET. Then you realize how incredibly lucky you are.
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I’m a Swedish woman with an adopted daughter, now 26 years, from Vietnam. We had her when she was 3 months. She’s never been interested in her biological parents, although many have asked. Everybody is different. ❤️
This is a story worth telling and one worth watching. Every one of those people have found a new family member they didn't know existed before. How can you not cry over giving birth to a 30 yr old. Pun intended. God Bless every one of them. Also, everyone who helped them go in the right direction. I full expected the search to end in disappointment. For an adoption story to end like this is rare. Congratulations to all.
Thank you!
I really loved this story. I'm so happy that the young man found his Bio family and that is his dad was with him on his journey . What a beautiful family he has.
My heart cries of joy for this. The whole clan picture in the end and adoptee Father hugs on him is very touching ❤❤❤. Emptiness is filled-up , overflowing with that picnic on his Uncle's house he has offered , the joy of reunited family .❤
such a beautiful story, the most crazy part is the extraordinary path that his Swedish father took and the internal process he went through. Love it so much
I absolutly loved this heartfelt story. The journey finding the roots but also so pain from Bengt worried what it all ment for the future. So happy about the ending and that they both grew in the story.
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😭 before for sad for dad
😭after joy for dad and son
Well. That was brilliant. I'm sitting hear sobbing at my desk (good thing I'm the boss!). Not sure how I came to be watching this, but what a joy. Such powerful journeys for both Emilio and Bengt - and Bengt's story is one rarely told. What honesty from both men. It all seemed like an essential rite of passage; a coming to terms requiring hiraeth, adventure, courage, truth, separation and reconciliation. Bittersweet start to finish, but that huge blossoming of love at the end has got me in the guts. Great film-making.
Beautiful ending, wonderful real life story. I cried throughout the documentary. It's really well made, it makes you feel part of the search, the pain and the love father and son share. Emilio's search for his roots is so important, it doesn't mean he doesn't love his adoptive father, it's to do with his identity. It's important to realize that we all have the right to know where we come from. Emilio got his answers and he also connected with his father at a deeper level.
This touched my heart, i was adopted from Bogota in 1980. It just really was like looking through time. The orphage looked like La Casa de la Madre Y el Nino from photos that my parents gave me. I was searching for my picture on the wall!
Hopefully someday I can go back!
Well, the orphanage was a nice clean place and the woman in the wheelchair who took care of Emilio when he was a baby there was so kind.
I hope you can visit Bogota one day and you also find some closure or solace. I can never know how you feel to be removed from your biological family and home country. I do however hope that where you landed in the world was a place with love and joy.
@@catchyname5403 He wasn't removed .The Biological mother Gave him up And the biological father drank himself to death. Did he have a huge Family YES! But , No one raised him. He was Abandoned in an orphanage.
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situation was really tough back then, many children were given to adoption others were robbed many things happend, you can't imagine. I was borned and raised in bogotá, let me know in case you would like to know or being in contact to people who do the investigation process. Adiós paisana (that means bye sister from the same country)
Very touching story. It's beautiful to see how love just overtakes pain.
This documentary is noted as 2 years ago but seems like it was filmed many years ago. That being said, does anyone know whether Emilio still lives in Colombia or did he go back to Sweden after finding his extended family? At 15:19 his mother left him with his father and was listed on record as abandoning the household. He was told by his extended family that his father had two options, 1) to send him to the orphanage or 2) to have him raised by his paternal grandmother. The beauty I noted in this documentary (among many things) was that his Swedish adoptive father was meant to be right there by his side holding his hand and in turn the universe gave this man the most beautiful "thank you" as so many adopted parents deserve. The part in the begining where he said. "I hate Colombia" (this was only out fear that he would loose his son) to then say in the end that he didn't just gain a son, he gained a village. 💛💙❤
It says he was born in 1977 and he is looking for his family at age 30 which means fiming took place around 2007. I would love an update!
@@user-H65where did you see 1977? I figured 1983 based on his biological fathers year of birth (1943) plus 40 years. 1983 plus 30, so documentary around 2013.
It says Emilio was born in 1977 in the blurb which I guess was written by whoever uploaded the content. It could be wrong, I also noticed the 1943/40 years old detail.
Hi! You're right - the film was made a while back. Filmed in 2008 and initially released on Swedish television in 2010. Since then it's been available at my film platform Campfire Stories and released freely on RUclips two years ago. It had 1000 views over the first two years and has had an explosive (as of the moment I write this) 160 000 views in the last 2-3 weeks. Sometimes it takes a while for a film to find its audience :)
he learnt to speak Spanish !!! this is the GREAT EDUCATION that his parents gave to him
You can tell when adoptive parents loved their child so much with his pause before he responded. ❤
Amazing acts of bravery, for Emilio, to find his roots and story of where he came from, and his father for taking the leap to go to Colombia to support his son, no matter how frightening. What more can you ask for from a parent? In the end, they both grew from the experience. Thank you for sharing this story ❤
All I could think of when the entire family was captured via a photo was… “omg… WHAT a FAMILIA!”❤
I know right!?
This is the most touching and beautiful story I have seen in ages! These people are all blessed to know each other. When the old uncle suddenly said, in his little house, that Emilio must love his adoptive father and stay with him, I almost cried. Before that, I was so sad for him thinking he was going to lose his son. Wonderful wonderful family story. Bravo, Emilio y Papa!
Emilio termine tu vídeo con mucha emoción en mi corazón, viendo la reunión familiar en la casa de tus tíos, la Foto familiar donde tú tenías en tu pecho la Foto de tu padre, y me conmovió mucho ver a tu papá abrazándote con mucho cariño y amor, me gusto mucho ver cómo tu familia de Colombia te recibieron muy contentos. Ver la felicidad de tu papá adoptivo eso me llegó al corazón, porque el realmente te ama y tu mamá también, tuviste la suerte que te adoptaran y darte una vida diferente. Que Dios bendiga a ti y a tus dos familias por siempre y que las reuniones sean más seguido para que no pierdan los lazos familiares. 🙏🙋🏻♀️
So hard and complicated these adoption mysteries that make up that sense of incompleteness of an adopted child and the angst of the parents who really raised and love him... but this one was resolved, the empty spaces finally filled.... hopefully he can move ahead with his life now with even more appreciation for his loving and supportive parents.
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It advanced but it wasn't totally resolved. He never met his mum. This is a roller-coaster for anybody going through this. Sending Emilio, his Swedish parents and the Colombian family all the very best.
You SAVED A CHILD who had no home. You WILL ALWAYS BE BELOVED BY YOUR SON. YOU DID GOOD MOM AND DAD, RESPECT & ❤!!!
I was so moved by this story and the wonderful video made by Campfire Stories. Very well done. I'm also an adoptive mother. My daughter's birth parents are both Mexican. I raised her bilingually here in California. The sad part is she died of brain cancer at age 9-1/2. It's been 16 years and I miss her every day. She never had a chance to meet her birth family although she had a little photo album of pictures of them. But I was waiting for her to say she wanted to. I reconnected with them after Maya died and gave them photos and videos of her. We're friends still. She would have been an auntie.
This made me cry. His adoptive patents is lovely people. Hats off to them.
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What a journey for the parents and the young man. I admire how his father went even to that place he didn’t quite like to be there for his son. True love ❤
I am a closed adoptee - from my own country - that was, and is bad enough - to be closed adopted and taken MILES away from your family, sometimes 100's of miles - from ALL your family - not just your parents but ALL your family, your grandparents, your siblings, your cousins, your aunts and uncles - these adoptees from Russia. Colombia, India, Korea - you name it - THEY HAVE FAMILY - MOST WERE NOT ORPHANS and had family that could have taken them in or wanted them. Thier their society and governments often failed these children, as it failed me in the 60's. Many adoptees can never travel back, or afford to pay a researcher to find their family of origin. Many cannot find paper work. Many are lied to by officials. Many will never be able to be reunited with their family of origin. And many if they are cannot speak the same language. Cannot relate to the culture and the "reunion" often ends in tears, frustration and much confusion. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THEM ALL.
So cool! To connect with blood relatives that accept you w/ open arms, so amazing for the heart! More to add to the family!
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Incredible story - incredible loving Father to accomplish his son on this journey.
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Love this. Im getting to meet a niece i never knew about in a couple of weeks. I cant wait.
So much love for Emilio . Finding his family of birth origin. Culture and heritage is deep in our DNA, language, land, music, culture. You may live in another country but traditions, customs, language it is huge. Identity is huge.
This is a wonderful story thanks for sharing. ❤
Hello it’s wonderful when adopted people have their questions answered about their past, it fills in all the nagging questions about their beginnings, well done to everyone who made this possible 👍💜💜🙂🏴
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Amazing story - really happy that he managed to trace his family finding your roots gives you peace of mind.
WOW.
Emilio looks just like his biological father and family. They must have been in shock when they saw his face.
I cried through this entire doc.
I hope his heart is filled and settled.
That last shot was...perfect.
Great work, Mattias and the other filmmakers.
This broke my heart to see the adopt father so sad. And the son doesn't care about him much. Sad, so sad!
Que lindo Emilio, ama a tus padres lo mas que puedas y disfruta a esa nueva familia.
Vilken härlig historia. Tack så mycket. Min pappa grät även ofta när det blev känsligt, och jag tycker att det är viktigt att man får detta som man.
I cried. BEAUTIFUL INSPIRING PEOPLE. My heart nearly broke for Bengt. What an insanely special amazing man.
babies are easy to create. It takes a REAL man to be an awesome father❤❤❤
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Second time I watched this. I love it. Glad to see he learned why being adopted was the best thing that.could have happened to him I wish this was an ongoing reality show
Emilio...tu historia me hizo llorar. Digo TU historia pero me refiero tambien a tu padre (Bengt). Yo en muy pocas ocasiones he llorado, pero tu busqueda e incognitas han de haber sido muy dificiles... y tu padre...ESE ES UN PADRE! Hizo a un lado su dolor, el dolor que surgia del amor a ti y por ti , PARA APOYARTE en tu busqueda. Eso, Emilio, eso es ser padre.
En mi humilde opinion, lo mejor de todo es que ahora tu, tu padre y tu madre tienen mas familia. La familia de Colombia. Felicidades!!!
I want to hug your adoptive parents. Love them dearly, they're truly your parents. You're blessed and I wish you only the best.❤🙌
Wonderful documentary! There you see the importance of finding your background and your history.
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He is so blessed that he has a very loving adoptive parents...who love him so much❤❤❤
Loved the huge family gathering at the end!!
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So much love. This is a sweet story and all worked out for Emilio and his adopting family.
I LOVE stories like these. ❤ My husband is from Mexico. We've reunited him with his family. Not adopted. Just estranged. It's just the best feeling in the world.
Excellent documentary. Props to the director, cameramen and editors. Thoroughly engaged me!
Me too! Totally agree!!
What a wonderful story. His adoptive parents obviously adore him, then he found his birth family who are lovely. You could see his uncle and aunt didnt have much, but his uncle offered them potatoes and grilled meat.
I hope Emilios life has continued to be good and happy x
Where is his BROTHER??? He is only 8 years older than him. Why isn't anyone mentioning HIM or any other siblings? Was the 8 year old given up for adoption also? So, what happened to his father and why no grave? It is a wonderful story! Thank you!
I understand his desire, and his adopted fathers fear. I can't wait to see his biofather's reaction. Your son is tall, strong, intelligent. You haven't lost him, he is growing. Nothing can replace your 30 years of nurturing. I would be curious of my bio parents too. Yes, mom, I understand. You two have so much love to give; bless you for your adoption. Your eldest flew the nest, as is nature, and I understand your unease. Have faith that is the way of the world, and he will fly back to see you. Don't think for a MOMENT that love is wasted. Love shown to a child is NEVER wasted. OMG that's a tear jerker. Combined, extended family is the BEST possible outcome! So many hugs to you guys!
His adoptive parents got the privilege of doing the hard work, loving him, caring for him, providing for him,
watching over him, assuring that he thrived to adulthood and beyond. There is more to being a father than
making a baby, but in parenting and loving that child into adulthood. So Bengt is his father!
His uncle rightly pointed out to Emilio that Bengt, who until this point was heartbroken, is his real father and I'm so glad he did, as someone had to. The uncle is a truly good and wise man. I wonder if he ever found his birth mother, and if he remained in Colombia.
What a lovely young man ...and his adoptive parents are so loving even though they must have felt rejected when he changed his name and started searching..... But I also understand the need of an adopted child to find their roots.
So happy that dad took him there
So very hard emotionality
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In the end the cousin tells her mother “my mother, I present to you the son of my uncle Jose” and she replies “welcome home my son” she then says “I never imagined this son existed” while wiping her tears she says “but who?”
The ending was very emotional definitely made me teary eyed especially knowing this is her deceased brothers child that she up until that point, had no knowledge of his existence.
I wish my adopted parents loved me as much as this father loved his son…. Brought a tear to my eye ❤️
Wonderful story and a wonderful adoptive father
Thanks for sharing
Estoy llorando. What wonderful Swedish parents!