People were already crying when they got out of the cinema for the media conference of the movie I'M PERFECT, Nathan Studios' entry to the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival. It's a film that touches on the lives of those with down syndrome. Before it even started, the conversations of media and folks from organizations captured my interest. I overheard Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Chairman Elmer Lapeña while he was talking to a colleague about it, and he says "They have one special ability, and that is to LOVE without inhibitions, magmahal ng wagas!"
Direk Ingrid says "I need to make a story, a film about 11 years ago. We won in FDCP and this was teased. This was to show that they can. I'm very lucky that this was noticed by Ms. Sylvia and Nathan Studios and made it happen. Kita Kita was 2017, but this was 2009. They forged my characters, they choose what to show and we only had to trust them. I know it is a risk for producers but I was given the right ones with passion. I didn't want to use them, because this is a passion project and we didn't want them to be used, but loved and be independent. I felt hope because it doesn't end there."
Ms. Sylvia says "I saw two of her scripts and didn't like it but this third one was an afterthought. She didn't believe I would do this, because it was 10 years ago, they wanted it but didn't trust that this will be made, but I knew that the kids with down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy can. I want to thank Janice, LT, Tonton, Zaijan, because at the beginning they knew they would support them, and they did. When I found the cast in Direk's laptop, I knew I had to do it. We met with the officials because we want their guidance and do it right. These kids will make history, so please make sure to watch it!"
This film called "I'm Perfect" is something special. It's about unconditional love, the support actors describe this as reality, a spectrum of emotions, and when they were in the set, instead of them teaching the lead actors, they learned more instead. They taught them the currency of love and hugs, and watch them enjoy the process as actors for MMFF. They were overwhelmed!
Here's what happened at the press conference:
You might be wasting time treating them differently but they probably need to be treated plain and the same. It's an eye opener, looking at family dynamics on how to love, and how to do it purely, without judgement, hesitation, or anger. That's what they want you to feel in this film, and if you're up to it, you can support them on the 25th!
This film has a mission, and hopefully even before it comes out on theaters, it makes you feel what it is for. Make sure you watch it, so you'll learn more about what LOVE is in its purest form and concentrate on what they CAN DO instead of what they CANNOT DO.
