Sanctuary (2016)

Sanctuary: Directed by Len Collin. With Stephen Marcus, Amy-Joyce Hastings, Christopher Dunne, Tara Breathnach. Larry and Sophie, two people with intellectual disabilities, long to be together in a world that does everything to keep them apart.

“I was lucky enough to see this film at the Galway Film Fleadh. Even taking into account the home atmosphere, this was a very special film on a very special night. It is laugh out loud funny, but also very moving. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe plot involves a guy called Larry, who has Downu0026#39;s Syndrome (played by Kieran Coppinger) and his girlfriend Sophie (Charlene Kelly) who has epilepsy and their attempts to have a romantic few hours in a hotel room, which has been organised by their care worker Tom (Robert Doherty). u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe trouble is it all takes place during an organised trip to the cinema for a group of people with Learning Disabilities. So mayhem ensues when Tom fails to return quickly and his other charges have disappeared – escaping the cinema to explore their own freedoms. The two guys in the pub are particularly funny – kind of like the two old men in the Muppets. Thereu0026#39;s a great scene at the pick n mix… and Larry and Sophie will have you laughing and crying in equal measure. Yet at no time does it veer into the world of farce; that would have done the film a gross injustice. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe ending is not quite what I expected: my partner thought it was too sudden, but I thought it was just right. It leaves you wanting more. In fact the whole film was not quite what I expected. The cast are mainly actors with Downu0026#39;s or Autism and they are superb. Their performances have an honesty and truth about them that seems lacking in many performances. It is an unusual film for sure; but well worth your time if you get to see it. The soundtrack is great. Itu0026#39;s well directed and credit to the writer for a very funny and moving script.”