How would you feel if, one random day, out there browsing the web, you come across someone who looks a lot like you, is of your age and resides in a faraway continent? And upon researching deeper, you finally discover the doppelgänger is actually your blood sibling?
The power of social media
Well, crazy as it may appear, that’s precisely what happened to Samantha Futerman, a talented actress and Hollywood hopeful from New Jersey. Samantha had stints in TV and feature films that include Memoirs of a Geisha, 21 & Over, Man Up and more recently, the Kroll Show. “Twinsters” is a real-life movie done by her and co-directed by her friend Ryan Miyamoto and tells a heartwarming tale of how social media truly connects!
One day while ‘Facebooking,’ Samantha got a friend request from Anais Bordier. What follows would adeptly shape into a moving tale of two twins separated 25 years earlier, but in a brink of reunion. “Twinsters” was so charming that it won the 2015 SXSW special jury award.
Separated at birth
Futerman’s story starts when she’s born in Busan, South Korea before getting adopted by a Caucasian couple who hailed from New Jersey. After relocating to Los Angeles to advance her acting career, she meets a rising YouTuber called Kevin Wu – KevJumba.
Half a world away in Europe in 2013, a French university student called Anais Bordier who is an ardent follower of KevJumba was catching up with the latest of “High School Virgin” episodes. She noted a particular girl who looked a lot like her. With zeal and the hunger to know more about the little beauty, Anais decided to research more and what she discovered was moving.
Like herself, her newly found doppelganger was born in Busan, South Korea – interestingly on the same day. She decided to friend request her on Facebook. Sooner, endless messaging, Skyping, and exchange of life histories followed. DNA was the last test to certify that indeed they were separated by adoption.
A twist to the twins?
“Twinsters” makes the whole story very emotional, especially during their first meeting. After Futerman’s maiden visit in London and the celebratory reunion parties, what follows threatens to kill off the charm and bliss built earlier. The adoption agency’s response saying their mom denies having given birth to twins elicits killer suspense.
The best part of the movie though is when their Kickstarter campaign garners immense contributions, elicits earth-shaking discussions and unites over 200,000 South Korean children. “Twinsters” is shot by Futerman along with Ryan Miyamoto and there’s nothing more compelling about it than the women’s ecstatic reunion back in South Korea. The priceless familial moments when Anaïs is the link between her mom and Sam is heart-warming!
Naturally unaltered content
Technically, it is a modest piece owing to Futerman and Miyamoto’s skill level. But the storyline is natural and unaltered, with the use of social media and emoji-filled texts heightening the adventure even more. But in any case, “Twinsters” is a 1 hour, 29 minutes fun-filled ride and you’ll watch it again, again and again!
To watch Twinsters on iTunes, click here.
