Mein Bruder, der Superheld (2019)

Mein Bruder, der Superheld: Directed by Stefano Cipani. With Alessandro Gassmann, Isabella Ragonese, Rossy de Palma, Francesco Gheghi. Jack has always wanted a little brother to play with, and when Gio is born, his parents tell him his brother is a “special” child. That’s when Gio turns into a superhero with amazing powers in his big brother’s imagination, like the ones in his comic books. Over time, however, Jack learns the truth: his brother has Down syndrome, a condition Jack decides to keep secret. When he goes to high school and falls in love with Arianna, he hides Gio’s very existence from her and his new friends. But how can you expect someone to love you if you conceal such an important part of yourself? In no time, the truth comes out, and Jack realizes that Gio’s energy and vitality are contagious. Gio’s original outlook does indeed change the world, just like a superhero.

“This film comes from a true story. It is a tender and warm coming of age, with the main character, Jack, that has to deal with a younger brother that has Down Syndrome. The film has a very good pace (it is never slow) and it is frequently very funny. Alessandro Gassman and Isabella Ragonese are tender parents. The two actors who play Jack at different ages do it very well. But most of all, the film is true to a story of brotherly love that grows and affirms itself in a difficult age… the age of adolescence.”