DownsideUp (2016)

Directed by: Peter Ghesquiere | 15 minutes | short film, drama | Actors: Hélène De Vos, Jan De Vroey, Milo Huyghebaert, Peter Janssens, Paul Mertens, Jelle Palmaerts, Nico Sturm, Tineke Van Haute

In the Flemish short film ‘Downside Up’ by Peter Ghesquière, the world population consists almost entirely of people with Down syndrome. At the start of the film, two lovers sit with the doctor, who carefully explains to them what can happen if two people really love each other. It is superfluous information, because judging by the fat belly of the blissfully smiling girl, they have been aware of this for a long time. Not much later Eric is born. Although the parents are very happy, there is one big but: Eric is ‘normal’, or rather abnormal – he has one chromosome too few.

The doctor continues in voice-over to describe Eric’s life (luckily subtitled, because there are no strings attached), with all the difficulties he encounters on his way to adulthood, as being different. Of course, it is all the more noticeable at school and a seed is already being planned for his later career. ‘Downside Up’ is full of funny details, and it’s clear that a lot of care went into this film. Both the decoration of the sets and the cast, but also the cinematography have been taken care of down to the last detail and a special, somewhat surreal, fairytale-like atmosphere has been created, which – however short the film is – is convincing. See if you get the chance!