Uploaded March 2021 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
In 1978, a Swedish couple traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, to adopt a baby boy.
The child grew up in Sweden as Anders Svensson, in a small town outside Stockholm. Adopted during the height of international adoption from Colombia, he knew very little about his biological family or the circumstances surrounding his birth. But the questions about his origins never disappeared.
At 22, against his adoptive father’s wishes, Anders returns to Colombia. What begins as a visit soon becomes a turning point in his life – a legal name change back to Emilio Cuesta, a permanent move to Bogotá, and the beginning of a deeply personal search for his birth family.
Armed with only a thin file from the social authorities and a single clue pointing to a village north of Bogotá, Emilio begins tracing his biological roots. His adoptive father, Bengt – who has long associated Colombia with violence and poverty – eventually decides to travel there to help his son on his quest.
Their journey through the Colombian countryside becomes more than a search for biological relatives. It evolves into an emotional father–son story about adoption, identity, belonging, and what it truly means to come home.
Full-length documentary from Campfire Stories
Original title: Ingen Svensson Längre
Spanish title: La sangre llama
With music by Jorge Alcaide, ChocQuibTown and Adriana Lucia.
Subscribe to our newsletter: campfire-stories.org/newsletter
Support our work on Patreon: / mattiasolsson
#AdoptionStory
#AdopteeReunion
#InternationalAdoption
#FamilyReunion
#Colombia
In 1978, a Swedish couple traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, to adopt a baby boy.
The child grew up in Sweden as Anders Svensson, in a small town outside Stockholm. Adopted during the height of international adoption from Colombia, he knew very little about his biological family or the circumstances surrounding his birth. But the questions about his origins never disappeared.
At 22, against his adoptive father’s wishes, Anders returns to Colombia. What begins as a visit soon becomes a turning point in his life – a legal name change back to Emilio Cuesta, a permanent move to Bogotá, and the beginning of a deeply personal search for his birth family.
Armed with only a thin file from the social authorities and a single clue pointing to a village north of Bogotá, Emilio begins tracing his biological roots. His adoptive father, Bengt – who has long associated Colombia with violence and poverty – eventually decides to travel there to help his son on his quest.
Their journey through the Colombian countryside becomes more than a search for biological relatives. It evolves into an emotional father–son story about adoption, identity, belonging, and what it truly means to come home.
Full-length documentary from Campfire Stories
Original title: Ingen Svensson Längre
Spanish title: La sangre llama
With music by Jorge Alcaide, ChocQuibTown and Adriana Lucia.
Subscribe to our newsletter: campfire-stories.org/newsletter
Support our work on Patreon: / mattiasolsson
#AdoptionStory
#AdopteeReunion
#InternationalAdoption
#FamilyReunion
#Colombia
