Downside Up (Short 2016)

Downside Up (Short 2016). 15m

“The film follows a boy born into a future world where everyone else has Down Syndrome. The message, as you might guess, is about acceptance and trying to provoke thinking among non-disabled people about what it is like to function in a society where you area the odd one out.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI have worked with children and adults with disabilities in a professional capacity for the last 15 years. I am all about art that promotes acceptance and challenges people to think about how someone else experiences the world. But my problem with this film is that Iu0026#39;m not sure who itu0026#39;s for. The message is a bit simplistic (and has some weird plot issues) for an adult audience, and yet certain elements (like prostitutes soliciting or a slightly bloody post-birth shot) make it something that doesnu0026#39;t feel like itu0026#39;s for children.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJust from a storytelling point of view, I also struggled with the basic concept of the plot. This future just doesnu0026#39;t feel real at all. Youu0026#39;re telling me that people who canu0026#39;t tie their own shoes are operating sophisticated equipment, delivering babies, performing surgery, building elaborate buildings, etc? I was never able to get past this element and really embrace the story.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI think that this film was well-intentioned, and I really enjoyed seeing so many actors with Down Syndrome. There were some fun moments (like their diagnosis that the child is u0026quot;missingu0026quot; a chromosome). I love the message, but donu0026#39;t think it was delivered well.”