Sanctuary

I was lucky enough to see this film at the Galway Film Fleadh. Even taking into account the home atmosphere, this was a very special film on a very special night. It is laugh out loud funny, but also very moving.

The plot involves a guy called Larry, who has Down's Syndrome (played by Kieran Coppinger) and his girlfriend Sophie (Charlene Kelly) who has epilepsy and their attempts to have a romantic few hours in a hotel room, which has been organised by their care worker Tom (Robert Doherty).

The trouble is it all takes place during an organised trip to the cinema for a group of people with Learning Disabilities. So mayhem ensues when Tom fails to return quickly and his other charges have disappeared – escaping the cinema to explore their own freedoms. The two guys in the pub are particularly funny - kind of like the two old men in the Muppets. There's a great scene at the pick n mix… and Larry and Sophie will have you laughing and crying in equal measure. Yet at no time does it veer into the world of farce; that would have done the film a gross injustice.

The ending is not quite what I expected: my partner thought it was too sudden, but I thought it was just right. It leaves you wanting more. In fact the whole film was not quite what I expected. The cast are mainly actors with Down's or Autism and they are superb. Their performances have an honesty and truth about them that seems lacking in many performances. It is an unusual film for sure; but well worth your time if you get to see it. The soundtrack is great. It's well directed and credit to the writer for a very funny and moving script.

Absolutely fantastic! A RomCom film with many LOL moments with the characters. A warm-hearted film with a strong ending message of equality and need for societal change. I would wholly recommend anyone to go see this movie.

Long Summary: I must admit, I was a bit apprehensive at first when I heard the concept of this movie. Described as both a RomCom and Drama film, my inner activist and pessimist thought this would be yet another movie poking fun people with disabilities. I couldn't have been more wrong! Directed by Len Collin, this movie is written in part by and performed by people with intellectual/ learning disabilities, allowing the audience to get absorbed into their world, which contrary to popular belief isn't as innocent as we are led to believe. Larry (Kieran Coppinger) is deeply in love with Sophie (Charlene Kelly). Together they long for some intimate relations in a world that keeps them apart. A world that treats people with intellectual disabilities as being child-like or innocent. Tom (Robert Doherty), a care worker, seems to be the only person that understands this, and in collusion with Larry and Sophie facilitates their much needed freedom during a care centre trip to the local cinema. What seems so simple, Tom soon finds out is not. Longing for their own freedom, other members of the centre go on their adventures throughout the city leading to multiple laugh out loud moments. Each character adds a new dimension to the film, with some characters knowingly using their disability to influence others in a hysterical way and honest talking that not only has you spilling your popcorn in laughter but also warms the heart. Based in Galway, Ireland, the film takes you through some scenic locations in a quest to find everyone, while Larry and Sophie get more acquainted. Sophie's story takes a dark, realistic tone with revelations from the past, but Larry's love and charming demeanour pulls her through. But this isn't the end to the drama with moments that leave the audience in tears of melancholy. A bittersweet ending which leaves the audience saddened but with a smile, this film will make you question societal preconceptions of people with intellectual disabilities. Make this a must see for all your friends and family.

The film is adapted out of an original play that sold out during Galway Arts Festival 2 years ago. I really enjoyed the play initially and when I heard that it was to be adapted to a film I thought that it was a really good Idea. Rita (my baby sister) was really excited about working with all her buddies in Blue Teapot and acting which all our family knows comes extremely natural to her. However she didn't tell us anything about the script and told us to wait until it was produced. As the Film Fleadh approached we got our tickets and looked forward to the night. We were going to support our sister and her buddies as we had always done as we knew the work that Blue Teapot does is extremely important. What followed for the next hour and twenty seven minutes was a mixture of laughter and realisation of the real issues that affect people with intellectual disabilities. What you experienced if you'd seen the play was the director exploring the characters, each in their own little way and pushing the boundaries of what we who don't have a recognised intellectual disability see as completely normal. What you witnessed if you hadn't seen the play was a comedy that made you laugh out loud all through the film and again outside when you reviewed the various aspects with the fellow audience members. Even though its listed as a comedy the real underlining message of the original play was not lost, well done Christian O Reilly & Len Collin.

I met a colleague of mine after the show who had never seen the play or knew nothing about the cast or history, as we spoke it was on my mind that my bias was shadowing my review so I asked her what she thought, I was pleasantly surprised that she was absolutely blown away by the experience and I have no doubt you will too!

Sanctuary explores the taboo subject of people with intellectual disabilities and sex. While some parts are heavy-handed, others will return to you over and over by the end of the film.

Like how vulnerable these people are, but where do you draw the line between treating them like children and treating them like adults?

It is heartbreaking in how it brings you in to the world of these characters, whose actors don't go home with a big pay-cheque and go on with their lives. This is their lives. These are the problems and struggles they deal with every day.

It jumps genre between drama and comedy better than I've seen most Hollywood films doing.

Watch it, please. It will break you, but you'll love it for it.

I just didn't find it very interesting. Yes, there were a few funny moments, it brought up a taboo subject, and had some emotional sub- plots. Overall, I found the dialogue to be very wooden, and the ending was just disappointing.