The film follows a boy born into a future world where everyone else has Down Syndrome. The message, as you might guess, is about acceptance and trying to provoke thinking among non-disabled people about what it is like to function in a society where you area the odd one out.
I have worked with children and adults with disabilities in a professional capacity for the last 15 years. I am all about art that promotes acceptance and challenges people to think about how someone else experiences the world. But my problem with this film is that I'm not sure who it's for. The message is a bit simplistic (and has some weird plot issues) for an adult audience, and yet certain elements (like prostitutes soliciting or a slightly bloody post-birth shot) make it something that doesn't feel like it's for children.
Just from a storytelling point of view, I also struggled with the basic concept of the plot. This future just doesn't feel real at all. You're telling me that people who can't tie their own shoes are operating sophisticated equipment, delivering babies, performing surgery, building elaborate buildings, etc? I was never able to get past this element and really embrace the story.
I think that this film was well-intentioned, and I really enjoyed seeing so many actors with Down Syndrome. There were some fun moments (like their diagnosis that the child is "missing" a chromosome). I love the message, but don't think it was delivered well.
