The representaion of down syndrome in, Coming Down The Mountain

In the short two part series, Coming Down The Mountain, we see the relationship between a boy and his disabled brother with down syndrome. In this series we explore an interesting representation of these boys. Even thought one of the brothers has down syndrome we still see that the tow brothers are very similar due to the fact they are experiencing similar problems.

One way disability is represented in the extract that I saw is by the use of the camera. The first shot in the extract is a wide shot that is used to establish many things. For example, the difference in the brothers body language (the boy with down syndrome who is hunched other and the other boy who is standing strait). This already tells us that the boy with down syndrome has less authority then the brother without a disability. In this same shot the costume is used to show a difference in representation between the two characters. This use of the Mise-en-scene makes the boy with down syndrome seem carless in the way he dresses; the boys trousers are to short for his legs.

Another way down syndrome is representation in this extract is by the use of the Mise-en-scene. The boy with down syndrome uses facial expressions that to a non-disabled person would seen as very cheeky. In this case he tweaks his eyebrows at his brother when they are talking about a quite uncomfortable subject. This represents people with down syndrome to not have the boundaries that would be considered to far/uncomfortable. Another way the boy with down syndrome is represented to be very open is by the use of the Mise-en-scene. The technique of lighting is used to show the discomfort between the two brothers. In this case the brother with down syndrome is fully light again representing people with down syndrome to be very open, while the other brother (without disabilities) contrasts this because he is half lit showing he is hiding his fallings and is also felling awkward.

Finally, in this extract a long take is used to show the switch in power between the to brothers. This technique of editing  is very interesting because it is used in a way the shifts the authority in the relationship from being on the side of the brother without a disability to the side of the boy with down syndrome. This shows the disabled brother is more confident in this situation due to the fact he has no boundaries and a boy with down syndrome. Overall, I think this programme representation in both good and bad ways. showing they are both confident but at the same time have many difficulties.