In Tracing its origins, an eight-episode series which began on March 21, Patrice Godin accompanies adopted people in search of their biological parents. A quest that he knows intimately since he himself reconnected with his biological mother a few years ago.
“I always knew that I was adopted, there were no secrets in my family,” confides Patrice Godin, met in a café in Boucherville. The actor believes he hit the jackpot with his parents, but adds that there always remains “a hole in the heart” of adopted people, regardless of their story and journey.
Quebec has thousands of people with this “hole in their hearts”, people who want to know their origins. As of June 8, their quest will be facilitated by the application of Law 2, which came into force in June 2022, which will give them access to the identity of their biological parents. And this, without any restriction since the anonymity of origins will no longer be guaranteed. This access will also be extended to descendants of adopted people, a change which was greeted with relief by the latter, but with great apprehension by the biological parents who did not wish to be found.
Patrice Godin is delighted with this new legislative provision, but believes that any approach must be done with respect.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Patrice Godin, in interview with our columnist
If my biological mother had not wanted to meet me, I would have respected her wishes. It’s in my temperament.
Patrice Godin
Anyone who has already addressed adoption in his books recognizes the vital need to know where we come from. “But we can’t barge into people’s lives like that,” he adds. It can stir up a lot of business. There are several reasons why mothers have had to abandon their child: family pressures, religion, or even more difficult stories like rape, for example. You have to go about it tactfully. »
He greets the volunteers of the Retrouvailles Movement and sites like Carrefour ADN or Adoption, emotions, reunions (on Facebook) which help adopted people in their research.
A story that ends well
In his book All possible lives, Patrice Godin recounted how he set out to find his biological mother in early adulthood. American of origin, Marie Ellen now lives in Victoria, British Columbia. After a few exchanges via FaceTime (it was during the pandemic), the interpreter of Yanick Dubeau in District 31 finally met her in the flesh when the health measures were lifted.
As a young woman, Marie Ellen had a relationship with a married man, already the father of a child. “My mother came to join her brother, a soldier stationed in Bagotville, to hide her pregnancy, that’s why I was born in the region,” says the writer.
In his case, the reunion went well. Not only did he meet his biological mother, but he also discovered a half-sister, Heather. “It’s funny, I always wanted a little sister,” confides Godin, who is an only child. He even introduced this new sister to his adoptive mother who would like to meet Marie Ellen one day.
A complicated attachment
It was therefore loaded with all this baggage that Patrice Godin accepted the offer to host a show which would tell the story of other adopted people in search of answers.
“I found it interesting as a show project because in my case, meeting my biological mother and my half-sister, it made me feel good,” he says. I was curious to find out if I was alone in feeling what I felt. »
Patrice Godin explains to me that adopted people share several points in common, including a complex relationship with attachment. “I am well surrounded in life,” he insists. I have my parents, my girlfriend, my daughters, my family. But I found it important to explain to those who have not experienced adoption that it plays a role in the attachment process. Abandonment [de tes parents biologiques], it creates a kind of void which can sometimes be very violent. »
Each story is different, recalls the host of Tracing its origins.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Patrice Godin says he is happy to be able to bring the voice of adopted people into the public arena by hosting Trace its origins.
Some people find their biological parents late in life and lament the time lost. Others are refused and that, for an adopted child, is terrible. It’s like a second abandonment.
Patrice Godin
In his case, did finding part of his biological family repair anything?
“It feels good to know that my biological mother thought of me on each of my birthdays and that she never forgot me,” he replies. When she told me, a warmth came over me. For her part, she was reassured to see that I had had a good life, that I had been loved. So yes, it brings some relief, but it doesn’t cure everything. I was still 53 years old before that. It’s fascinating to see that abandonment, an event that we’re not even aware of when it happens, can leave such an impact on us. »
Patrice Godin says he is happy to be able to bring the voice of adopted people into the public arena. “If it can make people want to take steps to find their biological parents, always with respect, I think it’s worth it. »
The actor and author also wanted the public to discover adopted people who had succeeded in life. “The people I met pretty much all had a good life,” he emphasizes. I find it important to say it. »
Questionnaire without filter
Coffee and me: I love coffee. I try to limit myself to two in the morning. I love Americanos and since doing intermittent fasting, I have completely eliminated sugar and milk, I drink them black. Since I have insomnia these days, I drink decaf after lunch.
Books on my bedside table: These days I read Dune. Normally I’m not much of a sci-fi guy, but I went to see Dune 2 recently with my girlfriend and my daughter (after watching Dune 1 at home) and I really enjoyed the film even if I didn’t understand everything. I also read Tokyo-Montana Express, a collection of short stories by Richard Brautigan. Finally, I’m reading about special forces soldiers, because they will be covered in my next novel.
People I would like to bring to my table, dead or alive: I’m a little embarrassed to say it, but I’m not a fan of reality shows, I watch The Stallone family [rires]. I would really like to meet Sylvester Stallone. I would also invite Philippe Djian. It was he who made me want to write and who gave me my literary education. When I was young, I didn’t have much culture, but thanks to him, I started going to bookstores and broadening my horizons. Finally, I would invite Virginie Despentes, I really like what she does. It seems that she likes Djian. We would have a good duo with these two.
Who is Patrice Godin?
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Patrice Godin, actor, writer and host
- Born in 1968, Patrice Godin was adopted at birth.
- Actor, he has played in several films and series, including District 31, Another story, The man who loved too much And Surprising Detective: the girl with the stone eyes.
- Author of several stories and novels, including Unknown territories, After the storms, Wild, Baby, Dogs
- Anime Tracing its origins on Canal Vie (also offered on the noovo.ca platform).