My Hero Brother
Host sponsor – Main Street Landing
Directed by Yonatan Nir
Israel ⎮ 2016 ⎮ Documentary ⎮ 78 mins ⎮ Hebrew w/ English subtitles
Film Source: Producers
Best Documentary Award and Audience Favorite Award at Santa Barbara Film festival
Co-sponsor: UVM Hillel
An inspirational film that follows a group of young people with Down Syndrome who embark on a demanding trip through the Himalayas, accompanied by their brothers and sisters. Unresolved conflicts and the complexities of growing up with a Down Syndrome child in the family come to surface, while a heart-warming and special closeness develops among the siblings as they deal with formidable physical and emotional challenges. The difficult trials and poignant relationships set against the magnificent backdrop of the Indian Himalayas, open new horizons and greatly deepen our understanding of special needs people and their families.
Interview with the director:
“I grew up on a kibbutz with a girl my age who had Down Syndrome. At the kibbutz, kids lived all together and so she was like my sister from a very young age. Down Syndrome was never something weird for me.
As an adult, I went traveling around the world and started writing and taking pictures for Israeli newspapers and also for National Geographic. I started to be attracted to storytelling; it’s a great way to make an impact and to learn about the world. I wrote many articles as a photojournalist and went on to study documentary filmmaking. My first film, Dolphin Boy, received a lot of attention and was picked up by Disney. I’m always interested in stories about someone struggling. After Dolphin Boy, I got a call about this trek through the Himalayas with people who have Down Syndrome. I knew people with Down Syndrome and how they can open your heart and touch your soul. The story of brotherhood and sisterhood in families with kids who have special needs…is untouched. It’s not as spoken about as the story between parents and their kids with special needs. But the longest relationship in nature is between brothers and sisters.”
This screening will also include the short A is For Autism by Tim Webb | UK | 1992 | Animation | 11 mins
A multi-award -winning documentary based on a collaboration between autistic contributors and the director.
This event is part of Global Roots Film Festival: Disability