Updated yesterday at 7:10 a.m.
Olivier Bernier filmed, without filter, the birth of his son Emilio. However, a few minutes after the happy event, the doctor informed the parents that Emilio was showing characteristic signs of Down syndrome.
So begins the documentary forget me Not, directed by Mr. Bernier and presented as part of Slamdance, an independent and low-budget film festival held alongside Sundance, Utah.
Shot over a period of four years, until Emilio started school, forget me Not is a plea for the inclusion of children living with disabilities in the public school system in general and in that of New York in particular. Because Olivier and Hilda Bernier, convinced that their child has a better chance of learning and developing in an ordinary class, come up against repeated obstacles.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROTA6 FILMS
A scene from the movie forget me Not
In subtext, the film is a wonderful dive into the daily life of a loving family where every day, parents, children and members of their entourage learn to live with Down syndrome. Although very different, the film is reminiscent of the very moving Alpheus of stars by Hugo Latulippe.
For my wife and I, the goal is for Emilio to live the most inclusive life possible and be accepted for who he is.
Olivier Bernier, father of Emilio, suffering from Down syndrome, and director of forget me Not
“My film therefore became an exploration of what inclusion is in the context of a school system where children with disabilities are grouped together in special classes,” explained Mr. Bernier in a telephone interview.
Administrative maze
In the film, the viewer follows in the footsteps of Olivier and Hilda who, just to get Emilio into school, navigate through an administrative maze worthy of Theseus in the Labyrinth. From endless forms to assessment meetings and finding specialized intermediaries, this process is long.
Olivier Bernier is convinced that the best way to learn for a child like Emilio is through inclusion. What he encountered in New York’s gigantic public school system made him realize that not everyone thinks like him.
I have found hundreds of studies showing that children learn best in an inclusive setting, but no study shows otherwise. However, we went to several meetings where they tried to sell us the idea that Emilio would learn more in their segregationist system.
Olivier Bernier
To support his statements, the filmmaker inserted into his documentary horrifying images of young people with intellectual disabilities completely left to themselves in an American establishment that has long since disappeared. At the other end of the spectrum, he has visited schools in Boston and New Jersey where young people with Down syndrome are successfully integrated today.
“A form of optimism”
Very personable and speaking a little French, Olivier Bernier has Quebec roots from both parents. “My father is from Granby and my mother from Bromont,” he says. They moved to California, then to New Jersey. My sister and I were born in the United States, but I often come to see my family in Quebec. »
The filmmaker started in the profession about fifteen years ago. His first feature film, a fiction titled The Sunset Sky, premiered at the World Film Festival in 2009. Since then, he has turned more to documentaries and commercial work with his Brooklyn-based production house.
This is the first time one of his films has been featured at Slamdance. “I’m honored to be here,” he said. This festival is a celebration of films that go against the grain. »
Being the father of the main subject, did he find the shooting of forget me Not testing ? “It’s obviously a challenge,” replies Mr. Bernier. At first, I didn’t know it would be so difficult to live and document this story all at once. My wife and I, like many other parents in our situation, are engaged in a battle to ensure a better life for our son. »
I wanted to be objective, to give both versions of the medal. But of course, I defend my point of view. The public will judge. Ultimately, I wanted this film to instill a form of optimism.
Olivier Bernier
After a long struggle, Emilio’s parents reached an agreement with the New York school system for a four-month trial in an inclusive classroom. They have since moved out of town, had a second child, and enrolled their son in a much smaller school district. “So far, our new environment is very supportive and Emilio is making progress,” says his father. But as you see in the film, nothing is ever taken for granted. »
The independent film festival Slamdance is being held virtually and begins this Thursday. The films can be seen in Canada.