BABY – A Review by Jenn Rohm
After witnessing a car accident involving a pregnant woman Mikaela, Erin Kearns, decides she wants to have a baby. Mikaela lives in a group home with other young adults with Down Syndrome. She has a sweet romantic relationship with Eric Charles, Michael Buxton, who lives in the same home. They are successful with Mikaela’s desire. With her sister Jess, Yiana Pandelis, standing by her side a healthy baby boy is brought into the world.
This short film gives insight into some of the challenges that people born with the genetic variation known as Down syndrome face. Not everyone acknowledges these are people with thoughts and feelings that should be heard. True, mental cognition is not the same as someone who does not have this genetic variation. It does not lessen their ability to have wants and desires. In this piece, Mikaela is fortunate that her sister Jess believes that she deserves to have the life she wants and is willing to do anything she can to support these choices.
In interviews with director James Di Martino and writer Llewellyn Michael Bates, they mention the hopes they have that showing as part of the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival will provide interest in turning this into a full-length film. This is a strong short that tells a story and provides the groundwork for conversations that can improve the options available to those with Down syndrome. A feature would allow for more of the experience and what all parties involved have to address entails.
While the filming was done in Australia, other than how people sound it could have taken place almost anywhere in the world. This helps to support that while people live in different places there are some basic truths, we all share. How do we treat people? How do we assist without taking away freedoms? How do family members support those needing assistance without losing themselves in the process?
If you get an opportunity to see this film, do so. Go with friends and then have a conversation about ways to help make the world a better place.
Director: James Di Martino
Written By: Llewellyn Michael Bates
Cast: Erin Kearns, Michael Buxton, Yiana Pandelis
Genres: Short, Drama, Comedy
Selig Rating: 4 stars
Runtime: 19:17m
Festival: Slamdance 2024
Trailer: Baby – Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
