My Brother

Stephanie Smith, 2006 | StrangerFestival / Doc Next Network (United Kingdom)

Documentary film made by Stephanie Smith (born 1986) from the United Kingdom. "Many things in my life had an influence on the film about my brother but mainly the realisation that after years of forcing myself to interact with him I realised how envious I had become of the natural relationship that had formed between my brother Martin and his carers. One particular carer encouragingly showed me how it was possible to communicate with him, even though he can't speak or communicate in the usual way. This then led to an in depth conversation with my parents where I gained a deeper understanding of the difficulties of raising my brother as a mentally and physically disabled child. I then decided to document my findings through the power of film and to educate an audience that isn't aware of such situations as well as to engage with those who could relate and find comfort in my story."