Ana Ciano

As someone who was adopted from Russia in 2004 by an American family, I couldn’t be more grateful to have come across this film. The Dark Matter of Love is an absolute treasure. There is nothing that has been created—or could ever fully re-create—the raw, real-time emotions that both children and parents navigate in the adoption process, especially when the children have been institutionalized in the Russian orphanage system and then moved to the United States, not knowing the language or even the concept of “mom” and “dad.” This documentary captures that reality with a rare honesty. I saw so much of myself in Masha, and I also recognized the traits and struggles of my fellow adopted brothers and sisters. At the same time, the film gave me a deeper understanding of what my parents were going through during that time of transition and healing. I wish more stories like this were told. There are thousands—if not millions—of children who have been adopted from Russia to America, and a large community of us who would connect deeply with these narratives. Thank you for putting this together. For me, it was absolutely priceless.