Up Syndrome
Encyclopedia
Up Syndrome is a critically acclaimed, multi-award winning documentary directed by Duane Graves. It was picked up for distribution by CineClix shortly after its world premiere at the 2001 Slamdance Film Festival
in Park City, UT, and made available in the USA via Netflix
. The movie - known for its playful, stirring and otherwise unorthodox approach to a more serious subject - has since garnered international acclaim as one of the most honest portrayals of Down Syndrome
ever committed to film. Its director and subject, both lifelong friends, took home the National Media Award from the National Down Syndrome Congress
in 2002. The film was selected to join the permanent archives of the United States Library of Congress
in 2009.
sale, indie filmmaker Duane Graves chronicles a year in the life of his charismatic childhood chum, Rene Moreno, who was born with Down Syndrome
. After graduating from a high school for special students in San Antonio, TX, Moreno sets out to make his way in the adult world, optimistically battling the prejudices his condition engenders.
provided grant support for distribution of the film. Later, a shortened 24-minute version of the documentary won the grand prize at famed movie director Kevin Smith
's (Clerks
, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
) Movies Askew
contest in 2006. Notable film critic Scott Foundas of Daily Variety described the movie as "touching." Film Threat
's Merle Bertrand states that it is "engaging...a memorable experience." Notable film critic Peter Debruge of the Austin Chronicle
calls it "a tender and touching character study." IndieWIRE
critic Richard Baimbridge raved "it's one of the best portrait docs I have seen." Shari Crall of The Californian writes "I gained a new perspective."
Slamdance Film Festival
As a year-round organization, Slamdance serves as a showcase for the discovery of new and emerging talent in the film industry; it is also the only major film festival fully programmed by filmmakers. Slamdance counts among its alumni many notable writers and directors who first gained notice at the...
in Park City, UT, and made available in the USA via Netflix
Netflix
Netflix, Inc., is an American provider of on-demand internet streaming media in the United States, Canada, and Latin America and flat rate DVD-by-mail in the United States. The company was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Los Gatos, California...
. The movie - known for its playful, stirring and otherwise unorthodox approach to a more serious subject - has since garnered international acclaim as one of the most honest portrayals of Down Syndrome
Down syndrome
Down syndrome, or Down's syndrome, trisomy 21, is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British physician who described the syndrome in 1866. The condition was clinically described earlier in the 19th...
ever committed to film. Its director and subject, both lifelong friends, took home the National Media Award from the National Down Syndrome Congress
National Down Syndrome Congress
The National Down Syndrome Congress is a national not-for-profit organization that provides individuals, families, and health care providers information and support about Down syndrome, as well as advocating with and on behalf of individuals with Down syndrome.In recent years, the NDSC's most...
in 2002. The film was selected to join the permanent archives of the United States Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
in 2009.
Plot
Using donated digital tapes and a camera purchased with money earned from an eBayEBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
sale, indie filmmaker Duane Graves chronicles a year in the life of his charismatic childhood chum, Rene Moreno, who was born with Down Syndrome
Down syndrome
Down syndrome, or Down's syndrome, trisomy 21, is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British physician who described the syndrome in 1866. The condition was clinically described earlier in the 19th...
. After graduating from a high school for special students in San Antonio, TX, Moreno sets out to make his way in the adult world, optimistically battling the prejudices his condition engenders.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Rene Moreno | Himself |
Reactions
The Austin Film SocietyAustin Film Society
The Austin Film Society is a non-profit film society based in Austin, Texas. Founded in 1985 to exhibit independent, experimental, foreign and various other non-mainstream art films, the film society has grown from just film exhibition to fostering independent filmmaking in Texas and has served as...
provided grant support for distribution of the film. Later, a shortened 24-minute version of the documentary won the grand prize at famed movie director Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith
Kevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, actor, film producer, and director, as well as a popular comic book writer, author, comedian/raconteur, and internet radio personality best recognized by viewers as Silent Bob...
's (Clerks
Clerks
Clerks is a 1994 independent comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith, who also appears in the film as Silent Bob. Starring Brian O'Halloran as Dante Hicks and Jeff Anderson as Randal Graves, it presents a day in the lives of two store clerks and their acquaintances...
, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is a 2001 American action adventure comedy film written, directed by, and starring Kevin Smith as Silent Bob, the fifth to be set in his View Askewniverse, a growing collection of characters and settings that developed out of his cult favorite Clerks...
) Movies Askew
Movies Askew
Movies Askew is a short film festival run by Kevin Smith and View Askew Productions. "We've shown you ours. Now show us yours," submitters were encouraged. The 12 finalists of 2005 were screened at a gala event in Hollywood, California on September 6, 2006...
contest in 2006. Notable film critic Scott Foundas of Daily Variety described the movie as "touching." Film Threat
Film Threat
Film Threat is a former print magazine and, now, webzine which focuses primarily on independent film, although it also reviews DVDs of mainstream films and Hollywood movies in theaters. It first appeared as a photocopied zine in 1985, created by Wayne State University students Chris Gore and André...
's Merle Bertrand states that it is "engaging...a memorable experience." Notable film critic Peter Debruge of the Austin Chronicle
Austin Chronicle
The Austin Chronicle is an alternative weekly, tabloid-style newspaper published every Thursday in Austin, Texas, United States. The paper is distributed through free news-stands, often at local eateries or coffee houses frequented by its targeted demographic...
calls it "a tender and touching character study." IndieWIRE
IndieWire
indieWIRE is a daily news site for the independent film community. It covers indie, documentary and foreign language films, as well industry news, film festival reports, filmmaker interviews and movie reviews...
critic Richard Baimbridge raved "it's one of the best portrait docs I have seen." Shari Crall of The Californian writes "I gained a new perspective."
External links
- Up Syndrome Official Movie Website
- Interview with director Duane Graves at Corpus Christi Caller-TimesCorpus Christi Caller-TimesThe Corpus Christi Caller-Times is the newspaper of record for Corpus Christi, Texas.-Brief history:There has been a newspaper in Corpus Christi for almost as long as there has been a town. In 1883, the Caller was started in a frame building at 310 North Chaparral, now the site of Green's Jewelers....
- Film Threat Review
- IndieWIRE Review
- Austin Chronicle Review
- Daily Variety Review