Me, Too (Yo, tambien)

The Spanish film Me, Too (Yo, tambien) tells the story of Daniel Sanz (Pablo Pineda), the first Down’s Syndrome individual to graduate from University in Europe. After studying teaching and education psychology, Daniel takes a job as an assistant in the General Office for Disabled Persons and forms a friendship with coworker Laura (Lola Duenas). The two quickly become close, and it’s not long before Daniel falls in love.

As a result of a vigorous education, Daniel is ‘more advanced’ intellectually and developmentally than most individuals with Down’s Syndrome. His thoughts on art, politics, culture, history and literature surpass those of most of his coworkers, but in spite of his insights, he is still largely considered childlike. At more than 30 years of age, as his brother and sister-in-law expect their first child, Daniel struggles with his own desire to fit into mainstream society, find love and one day start a family of his own.

Me, Too depicts love in a variety of forms, from the tradition and comfort of long-time married life, to the purely sexual and areas between. The film raises questions of a disabled person's right to choose and whether they have the capacity to make decisions about their own lives and bodies.

With that in mind, Me,Too isn’t so much about acceptance and treatment of disabled persons, but rather the universal search for love. People yearn for love and acceptance regardless of whether they graduate university, have a career, or need help tying their shoelaces. Me, Too plays on feelings we all experience – fear of fitting in and being accepted, and the desire to find someone to love who loves us in return.

Daniel faces the same challenges of any individual searching for love, and through it all, he’s hopelessly and determinedly optimistic. Me, Too is a touching, humorous twist on the traditional love story that is certain to appeal to all audiences.

Catch the Canadian premiere of Me, Too at the Globe Theatre on Thursday, September 30th, or the encore screening Saturday, October 2nd at 2:45pm.

When fear takes over -- Phobidilia

At times humorous, at others tortured, Phobidilia peeks into the cloistered life of an unnamed young man in his 20's. Our hero (Ofer Shecter), is an agoraphobic software developer who has been unable to leave the safety of his apartment for several years.

With the conveniences of satellite television, the Internet and telephone, our hero's basic, and not so basic, needs are aptly met. Spending several years in relative seclusion has taken its toll, however -- with little-to-no interaction with other people, reality and dream, fact and fiction blend together, leaving him incapable of understanding the motives and emotions of other human beings. He sees the world outside like a Spanish soap opera -- mundane events taking on layers of drama, intrigue and suspense with daily events narrated by a cliche TV voice-over.

Our hero is content in his solitude as ruler over his own, private kingdom. With so few subjects, there are few variables that fall beyond his control. When telemarketer Daniella (Efrat Boimold) inserts herself into his closed-off kingdom, our hero finds himself longing for true human interaction. When he's forced to confess the truth about his circumstances, Daniela finds ways to join him -- the two go on imaginary dates, strolling hand-in-hand through a flower-filled forest and relaxing on a sun-lit park bench.

His carefully-constructed lifestyle is further thrown into chaos when Grumps (Shlomo Bar-Shavit), a grandfatherly real estate agent, tries to force the hero from his home, claiming the landlord wishes to sell. Ofer's character goes to great lengths to frigthen away potential renters, and the ensuing war obliterates the complacent peace both our hero and Gumps -- a Holocaust survivor -- have found in their respective lives. After surviving the Holocaust hidden in a hole on a Polish farm, Grumps understands the pain, fear and challenge of rejoining the world, and the importance of forcing yourself to do so.

Phobidilia delves into the all-encompassing power of fear. Schecter's portrayal of the reclusive young hero is frightfully genuine. You desperately want him to move forward through his fear but sympathize with his desperate plight for things to remain unchanged.

Phobidilia is a darkly interesting and captivating film, and certainly one of my personal picks for CIFF 2010. You can catch Phobidilia at the Globe Theatre, Monday, September 27th at 9:15pm.