"Reuben...You can, You will, You are, Your way" is a short film by Hayley Mclean (Australia, 2023). It explores themes around childhood and adolescence, congenital disability and Down syndrome, and reflects on learning, milestones and group dynamics. Quiet and attentive, the film presents moments that speak to ability, independence and the small victories of growing up with an intellectual disability. Selected for the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, it sits among films that highlight the experiences and achievements of people with disability. A respectful and human piece, it invites audiences to notice, learn and celebrate diverse ways of being.
Mom's having a baby. What? No, she isn't. Yes she is. What? No she isn't. I am. She is because she has a baby. This is no she isn't. Mom's having a baby. Sit down mister. Sit down. She's not having a baby. Why? No. She is. She is. She is. I know she's got a baby. She's got a baby. What? She's got a baby. She's got a baby. Yes she has. She has. She's baby. She's got a baby. She's got a baby. I'll sit down. You see, she's got a baby. Yes, she's got a baby. What? You see, she's got a baby. Yes she has. She's got a baby. She's got a baby. Yes she has. Yeah, that's the truth. She's got a baby. Shame. Doom. 23rd of June. Hi. Hi. My name is Audrey Anshroot and I'm Abel's World and Reuben's big sister. I'm going to share with you how music, singing and dancing has played an important part in Reuben's goals. Ooh. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Here's Reuben, honey. Hi, Reuben. Hi, Reuben. Where's Reuben? Where are you going? He's just on his own. He just walked. He's walking. He's walking. Reuben! Reuben! Hey! Reuben! Reuben! Reuben! All right! Okay, blow! Blow, go for it! Ready, go! Oh! Pass the puck! Ah, good job! Yeah! Open chapter, open chapter Give a little clap Open chapter, open chapter Again And pause! Get ready to go fast Ready? Go, fast! Yeah! Oh yeah! Ha ha ha! Everybody clap Everybody sing Loud to your heart's content Lay me up and count the stars And I'm sorry that I broke the heart It's something that I didn't want for you But I'm stepping on broken glass And I know this is my final drop So I'm trying to do just about everything I know this is my end I hope that put a smile on your face Reuben, I love you Say bye bye! Bye bye!
Filmmaker
Hayley Mclean is the filmmaker behind this entry.
See every Focus on Ability entry from
Hayley Mclean.
