Up Syndrome
{{short description|2001 film}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Up Syndrome
| image = Up Syndrome poster.jpg
| caption =
| writer = Duane Graves
| starring = Rene Moreno
| director = Duane Graves
| producer = {{plainlist|
- Duane Graves
- Justin Meeks
}}
| cinematography = Duane Graves
| editing = Duane Graves
| distributor = CineClix
| released = {{Film date|2001|01||Slamdance|2009|04|14|Netflix}}
| runtime = 82 minutes
| music = {{plainlist|
- Rene Moreno
- Derek Lacey
}}
| country = United States
| language = English
}}
Up Syndrome is a 2001 American 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, Utah, and made available in the US via Amazon Prime. 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.
Plot
Using donated digital tapes and a camera purchased with money earned from an eBay 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.
Cast
| class="wikitable" border="1" |
| Actor
! Role |
|---|
| Rene Moreno
| Himself |
Reception
The Austin Film Society provided grant support for distribution of the film.[http://austinfilm.org/for_filmmakers/texas-filmmakers-production-fund/previous_recipients Texas Filmmaker Production Fund Recipients] Later, a shortened 24-minute version of the documentary won the grand prize at film director Kevin Smith's Movies Askew contest in 2006.{{cite news|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/2006-10-20/412322/|title=Film News|last=O'Connell|first=Joe|work=The Austin Chronicle|date=2006-10-20|access-date=2016-10-06}} Scott Foundas of Daily Variety described the film as an "exceedingly playful and refreshingly unsentimental portrait" that does not fully explore its subject matter. Foundas concluded that it is "touching, but one-note filmmaking".[https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117797802.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&query=up+syndrome Daily Variety Review] Film Threat's Merle Bertrand states that it is "engaging...a memorable experience."[https://filmthreat.com/index.php?section=reviews&Id=1506 Film Threat Review] Peter Debruge of The Austin Chronicle calls it "a tender and touching character study".[http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:79081 Austin Chronicle Review] IndieWIRE critic Richard Baimbridge wrote, "it's one of the best portrait docs I have seen."[https://www.indiewire.com/article/daily_news_sony_gets_doc_nantucket_fest_plans_swedish_director_dies_and_wil/ IndieWIRE Review] Shari Crall of The Californian writes, "I gained a new perspective."{{cite news|url=http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2000/09/05/export16660.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705083158/http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2000/09/05/export16660.txt|title=Film provides better understanding|last=Call|first=Shari|work=The Californian|date=2000-09-04|archive-date=2008-07-05|access-date=2016-10-06}}
Duane Graves and Rene Moreno won the National Media Award from the National Down Syndrome Congress in 2002.{{cite web|url=http://www.ndsccenter.org/wp-content/uploads/SD-AwardRecipients-1.pdf|title=National Down Syndrome Congress Convention Award Recipients|work=National Down Syndrome Congress|access-date=2016-10-06}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|0261375|Up Syndrome}}
- {{Official website|http://greeksfilms.com/up-syndrome}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130922085655/http://www.caller2.com/2001/april/27/today/ricardob/24440.html Interview with director Duane Graves] at Corpus Christi Caller-Times (archived)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Up Syndrome}}
Category:2001 documentary films
Category:American documentary films
Category:American independent films
Category:Documentary films about Down syndrome
Category:Documentary films about children with disabilities
Category:2001 independent films
Category:2000s English-language films