I went to the Sprout Film Festival at the Hult Center tonight. Sprout films are films about and or by people with developmental disabilities. These films included music videos,, short documentaries and short narratives. All the roles for people with disabilities are played by people who have disabilities. That's what makes the movies so amazing, people representing their minority in a world where they have not been allowed. Major movies about people with developmental disabilities use actors who are not disabled. I never thought about how that would make people feel. Why not find actors who actually have the disabilities. I can't play a man anymore then I can play someone with a disability. I could try, but I would be faking. No one can under or portray something they haven't experienced. One movie that really touched me was called Sidecar. This was a documentary about a young women Lindsley who has childhood arthritis and a young man Justin, with autism. They become good friends because they both love art. Their story is told by the Lindsley. She uses the sidecar of a motorcycle as a metaphor for their disabilities. The disabilities are a part of who they are. Not the main part just a side part. The sidecar doesn't change the motorcycle it adds to it, make is wider. With the sidecar attached the motor cycle can't do through narrow tunnels. It can still get to anyplace but it has to avoid narrow spots. The Lindsley is very stiff, but she still loves to paint. She loves the relationship she has with the Justin and she loved his art. His art is sell for between 3000 and 5000 dollars. Another movie that I really liked was called Be My Brother. This movie is about a you man with down syndrome, his brother and a pretty stranger. The actor with down syndrome was wonderful. He had timing, charisma and a great sense of humor. The movie shined a light on the discomfort people have when confronted by someone that is different from ourselves. It also showed how moving beyond that discomfort can bring great enjoyment. This was a great experience and I would recommend people attend next year. It is a great way to show people's abilities rather then their disabilities.