Page 27 - Community Living Magazine 35-3

arts: film and TV
Sex and the screen performance is also demonstrated in
This positive shift in writing and

HBO’s Mare of Easttown, a critically
acclaimed series starring Kate Winslet as a
detective investigating a murder in a small
A film that explores the sexuality of a teenager with Down town in Pennsylvania.
syndrome reflects wider positive developments in the film Teenager Kassie Mundhenk, an
industry, says Tracey Harding actress with Down syndrome, was cast
as the daughter of Detective Mare’s
closest friend.
Writer Brad Ingelsby told The Guardian
critically acclaimed short film They hope to expand the film into a that children with Down syndrome were
challenging perceptions about love, full-length version in the future. “always part of my life growing up”.
A xuality and learning disability has Initially scheduled to debut at BFI Flare, He said: “If you’re creating a ‘portrait’
se
finally begun to receive recognition after it has been entered in film festivals of a community, it just makes sense to
Covid halted its wider distribution and around the country and was featured in have someone with Down’s syndrome as
viewing opportunities. Best British Short 2: Smile on Channel 4. It part of the ecosystem.”
S.A.M, filmed in 2020, is set in a park was shown at the Oska Bright film festival,
playground where Sam, played by George which took place in Brighton in March.
Webster, an actor with Down syndrome, is In an interview with Enable magazine in
hanging out with some friends. October 2020, Ely noted that “people with
The group discuss a boy on the swings disability are part of the LGBTQ+
who they obviously know from school, community” but their stories tended not
and talk about his scruffy clothes and to be visible.
their general dislike of him. “We want to change this and get
They don’t notice at all when Sam visibility on these stories and, most
says he has a crush on the boy, perhaps important, getting people to have
illustrating how easily his sexuality conversations they probably have been
can be ignored because he has a nervous to talk about,” he said.
learning disability. Webster is an ambassador for Mencap
Sam goes over to talk to the boy, also and has been vocal about challenging
called Sam, played by Sam Retford. This prejudice over disability, especially
develops into a relationship that highlights Down syndrome.
the stereotypes regarding sexuality that In September last year, he became the
people with learning disabilities can face. first presenter with Down syndrome on
S.A.M also portrays the dysfunctional BBC CBeebies. He presented a BBC
lives of the two boys. One is desperate to Bitesize video, 5 Myths of Down’s
escape a family who do not care, while Syndrome, where he challenged some of
the other yearns to explore society’s preconceived ideas.
independence, which his overprotective
parents are trying to shield him from. Behind and in front of the camera Jamie Brewer of American Horror Story is
The film features dynamic performances Webster was also featured in an article in represented by talent agent Gail Williamson,
from the two central characters and The Guardian by Hayley Maitland in who has more than 200 clients with disabilities
deserves to be seen by a wider audience. November 2021 which highlighted a shift
S.A.M was directed by Lloyd Eyre- in the visibility of Down syndrome on The Guardian article mentions Los
Morgan and Neil Ely, who are based in screen over the past few years. Angeles-based agent Gail Williamson, who
Manchester, where the film was shot. The Recently, Netflix and the BBC set up a is head of a Hollywood talent agency’s
duo included people with disabilities five-year partnership to get talented division for diversity. She started out with
behind the camera and as part of the people with disabilities in front of and 25 clients and now looks after more than
production team to ensure inclusivity. behind the camera. 200 individuals with disabilities.
She now has high-profile production
clients including Glee’s Lauren Potter and
American Horror Story’s Jamie Brewer,
who became the first actor with Down
Syndrome to play a lead on Broadway,
S.A.M; EnigmaArts/Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 playwright Lindsey Ferrentino.
with a production of Orphans by

Ferrentino’s note to directors was:
“Finding a talented actor with Down’s
syndrome isn’t difficult. So please do it.”
It seems that some catching up is
happening, and representation is
beginning to reflect the world around us
Making contact and breaking taboos: George Webster and Sam Retford in S.A.M
in a more equitable way. n
www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 35 No 3 | Spring 2022 27