BROTHERHOOD

BROTHERHOOD - written by Adam J Cohen

OVERVIEW - The motto ‘it’s not my problem’ has led to a huge amount of ignorance with regards to disability. People imagine that all people with a singular disability are the same. That people with Down’s Syndrome are victims; the truth is far removed. They have talents and abilities as well as flaws just like us 'normal' individuals.

The story we are telling illustrates how the dynamic of the parent child relationship is altered by the birth of a special needs child. The matter of how children of differing abilities are treated within a family is something that is often swept under the carpet. It is widely presumed to be very difficult for a parent to raise a disabled child. However, no-one considers how trying it is to be the sibling of that person, especially if the disabled child is oldest.

SYNOPSIS - Brotherhood is a short film about two brothers with an lack of relationship. HARRY WATSON (17) is a teenager constantly fighting with his older brother JOSH (20) who has Down's Syndrome. Harry resents his older brother for all the attention his mother lavishes upon him.  This is a source of great upset for an already fraught parent.

In order to get what he wants, Harry must paper over the cracks with Josh. In a drunken misadventure when Harry needs help most, it falls to Josh to save his brother's neck. Will Josh step up to the plate for a brother who has never cared for him? Is there a lesson to be learned or is it just a moment to be forgotten?

The Team Behind Brotherhood 

Executive Producer:  Brandon Smith

Executive Producer:  Charlotte Woodhead

Producer:   Sean Langton

Director:   Stuart Fryer

Writer:   Adam Cohen

Director of Photography: Malcom McLean 

CAST - We are supremely proud to have the acting talents of Otto Baxter (BBC3 Otto: Love, Lust and Las Vegas) and Bobby Lockwood (Wolfblood and House of Anubis) to play the lead roles.  Joining them will be Vanessa Bailey (Doctors and The Sarah Jane Adventures) and Sophie Coward (Secrets and Words) 

What We Need & What You Get

VISION - This film is being made with the highest of production values and is being touted for international film festivals.  This film is not simply a visual experience for an audience, it is an emotional story that makes us question how we treat our siblings and how we view those with Down’s Syndrome.  As film makers, we would be delighted to involve a charity that shares the same message that we are portraying.

Unfortunately filmmaking is not cheap, all cast and crew give their time freely for the passion of making beautiful films. However, we can't expect them to do it without feeding and housing them. Here is a sample of where some of the money raised will go.

£750    Location Fee: Covers the cost of rental of a house for the rehearsal and shoot duration.

£600    Food: An army marches on its stomach and we have an army of hungry film makers.

£700    Accomodation: Some of the cast and crew are coming from the otherside of the country and we need to give them somewhere to sleep for the shoot duration to make sure they're at the top of their game for filming.

£1,000  Props, Costumes, Make-up and set dressing:  Required to make the look captured on camera as realistic and cinematic as possible.

£1,000  Festivals and Marketing: Making the film is one thing but we need to take the film on the road and hopefully win some awards. Each entry costs. This can soon mount up.

£600     Transport: We have to get a lot of people and twice as much kit to transport to location.

These are just a few of the things the budget will be used on.  EVERY penny will go on making the film the best it can be. If we can raise the money, it will allow us to make a beautiful, emotive film that everyone involved can be proud of.

The Impact

"People have an image that all disabled people are the same, this is profoundly wrong and prejudiced. The character of Josh was created to show that people with Downs Syndrome are not victims, they have talents and abilities as well as flaws and insecurities just like us 'normal' individuals,” ~ Adam Cohen

We hope to spread the word as far and wide as possible. To hopefully educate and highlight what its like to live with disability from all sides.

Other Ways You Can Help

There are many ways you can help us reach our goal and make a successful film.  Here are a few:

• Follow us on Twitter @brothersthefilm.
• RE: tweet as much as you can in order to spread the word.
• Tell all your friends about the project, give them the chance to get onboard.

In advance, I would like to thank everyone that helps with both pledges and spreading the word. A huge thank you from the Brotherhood team.