FEATURED FILMS
BETRAYAL
1.5 min./poetic short/2011
A poem written by Anonymous and recited/performed by Nadirah McFadden. This is one in a series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
BURT
25 min./documentary/2002
Through first person anecdotes which reveal a savant’s amazing memory, we meet Burt, a man with developmental disabilities who survived decades of inhuman treatment to become a person who enjoys life to the fullest. Burt Petrone was born in New York State in the year 1921. He was born with developmental disabilities. In the year 2001, at the age of 79, Burt agreed to sit in front of a camera with his wife Barbara and talk about his life. He gives a chronological history of his life and times beginning in 1936 when he was 15 years old. He has an incredible memory for dates and gives many specific dates as he tells his story.
DREAM LOVER
25 min./narrative/2002/USA
Seth, a shy man with developmental disabilities, lives in a group home with Linda, a woman he loves from afar. Today is Linda’s last day living in the group home. Will Seth come out of his dream world and declare his love to her? David Johansen joins a cast of actors with developmental disabilities in this touching portrait.
KARATE RULER
14 min./narrative/1999
The year is 3168 and planet Earth is being threatened by the evil Natas from planet Olvidan. Hope for a peaceful future lies in the hands of the Karate Ruler. All actors in this sci-fi thriller have developmental disabilities. This video was shot in one day using people with developmental disabilities for all the acting roles and narration. The screenplay is based on a short story written by Jon Nova, a person with developmental disabilities who also stars in the title role.
Cast: Jonathan Nova, Marty Shapiro, Mark Geller Exhibitions: Chicago Underground Film Festival, New York Underground Film Festival
KING OF CAMP
42 min./narrative/2005
“King of Camp” is a tale about Viru, a self-proclaimed music buff, and how he survived his first day at summer camp. This video features acting and musical performances by people with developmental disabilities. Seven of the performers in this video are from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy and six of them have Williams Syndrome.
Cast: Tori Ackley, Seth Ehrlich, Scott Epps, Murray Greenberg, Matt Meers, Joel Peterson, Michael Robinson, Gerard Scott, Viru Singh and Lisa Walsh. Additional Music: Burt Petrone
NOTHING TO FEAR: BEHIND THE SCENES
43 min./narrative/2006
A documentary film crew captures the behind the scenes happenings during the making of a vampire film. Reality and fiction become blurred as the seven actors with developmental disabilities lose themselves in their roles.
ONE QUESTION
7.5 min./documentary/2011
35 persons with developmental disabilities answer the same one question: If you can change one thing about yourself, what would you change? The production crew for this film included eight people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The film was shot over 5 days.
Production Assistants: Maxime Burbank, Cesar Casartelli, Seth Ehrlich, Marlon Foster, Michael Greenebaum, Zach Koeber, Dorothy Langdon, Hindy Makowsky, Lucille Payne, Viru Singh
SHERI AND PAUL
11 min./documentary/2004
A couple shares their personal thoughts on love and marriage in this candid and touching portrait. Sheri Pearl and Paul Kiok sat in front of the camera, one afternoon, and spoke candidly about their relationship and the feelings they were experiencing a mere 3 months before their wedding.
Cast: Sheri Pearl and Paul Kiok Written, Directed and Edited: Anthony Di Salvo
THE GREAT LITTLE MOUSE
12 min./animation/2001
The Great Little Mouse is an animated story written by Mary Egan, a woman with developmental disabilities. It is the story of Reggie, a naughty, flying mouse, who helps bring people together. The narrator and all the voices of the characters are performed by people with developmental disabilities.
Written By: Mary Egan Illustrations: Patricia Mader Directed and Edited: Anthony Di Salvo
THE SOCIAL CLUB
20 min./narrative/1998
A tale of love, money, the mob, the FBI and a 1968 convertible.
Cast: Seth Ehrlich, Mark Geller
WAKE UP JUNIOR
25 min./narrative/2008
The story of Junior, a young man who feels protected by Cat, a female superhero he created. With Cat, he is safe from all the dangers he sees on television and for him there is no need for family or friends. This belief is put to the test by one unexpected incident. The film features the acting, writing (animation sequences) and artwork of Jeremy Schwartz.
Animations created by Yin Ko Lee.
“Wake Up Junior” was made possible through funding from NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
DEAR GOD
1.5 min./poetic short/2011
A poem written by Janice Shewfelt and recited/performed by Destiny Lewis Bell. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
GO FOR IT
2 min./poetic short/2011
Poetry by Cam Lasley & Jack Gibson, performed by Ben Takanashi. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
HOLD ME DOWN
1.5 min./poetic short/2011
Poetry by Cam Lasley & Jack Gibson, performed by Marlon Foster. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
HOW DO I KNOW
2 min./poetic short/2011
Poetry by Mark VanSlyke/Gathering Light. Performed by Gina Watson. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
I CAN’T SIT STILL AND CONCENTRATE
2 min./poetic short/2011
Poetry by Jennifer Fan, performed by Nadirah McFadden. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
I WISH
1.5 min./poetic short/2011
Poetry written by Emily Meek/Reprinted from Ideal Way (Seeing Ability in Disability). This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
MARRIED LIFE
1.5 min./poetic short/2011
Written by Enrichment Center poet, Tawanda Renee Shore. Performed by Samantha Moore. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
MUDDY DREAMS
1.5 min./poetic short/2011
Poetry by Tim Korft, performed by William Zhang. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
MY LOVE LEGACY
1.5 min./poetic short/2011
Features the poetry of Frank Doherty and the performances of 5 young adults with developmental disabilities. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
TWO EVILS
1 min./poetic short/2011
Poetry by Paul Quinn (The Enrichment Center). Performed by Juan Garcia and Tony Welch. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
VOICES OF WAR
1 min./poetic short/2011
A poem written by Neil MacDonald and recited/performed by Destiny Lewis Bell. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
WHEN I DIE
1 min./poetic short/2011
A poem written by Nancy Brown & Vicky Reaves and recited/performed by Nadirah McFadden. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
6 min./documentary/2013
24 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities answer the same question “If you could change on thing about yourself, what would you change?”
BEGIN TO GROW
26 min./narrative/2009
A spiritual guru on a public access show and the owner of a television network both seek financial enlightenment.