SMILE / DVD / BASED ON TRUE STORY / MIKA BOOREM

Exploring the differences in growing up halfway across the world, SMILE is a wholesome and positive look at two divergent cultures and the experiences of young adults in those worlds. In California, Katie (Mika Boorem) is born into a world of wealth and privilege, growing up in a society where her primary concern is her relationship with her boyfriend. Meanwhile, on the very same day, as Ling (Yi Ding) is born in China with a facial deformity, the scales are already weighed against her. Abandoned by her birth parents, Ling grows up in a world of hard work and little chance for escape. When Katie volunteers for a medical program abroad, she comes face to face with Ling and the difficulties she faces, and both girls learn life-affirming lessons about the differences and similarities between them and their cultures. SMILE also features Sean Astin, Cheri Oteri, Linda Hamilton, and more famous faces in supporting roles.