by Diane Hobaugh
If you ever get the chance to see Anita, played by Alejandra Manzo, go and see the movie. It was a rare treat to sit and watch a 105 minute film, complete with Spanish and English translations, brought to our area by the Jewish Community Center. The film brought laughs, tears, and deep reflection on the simplest of routines and the complexity of life and relationships.
The character, Anita, was so charming and authentic in the way she portrayed her plight from lost and alone to finding her way. She meets interesting characters, who at first have no inkling about how to help her, nor do they necessarily want to, but they still find a way to move her along in her journey.
They are given something in return, something only people with Down syndrome are best at giving: a sense of peace amidst confusion, a sense of purpose in everyday life, a sense of belonging when they are treated as outcasts, and a sense of determination of spirit to go on. We can only glean a sense of, not the entire emotion, attitude, or spirit, mainly because we cannot fully understand what goes on in another’s mind. Still, it gives me something to think about in the way I approach daily life and struggles. Take a fresh look and appreciate.
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