HIMALAYAS

This film was inspired by a childhood friend of mine whose life experience includes Down syndrome. I had never seen a character like him on screen before. Wanting to tell a story that encapsulated some of his complexities: his humour, intelligence, depth and compassion, I started looking at stories that have a character with a disability. I found some, not many. More now than ever, but still, limited. I didn’t want the relationship to be precious, but something real, honest, sometimes painfully so. The beautiful thing about Sam and Emmett's relationship is that we join it 30 years in, when they've worked through the expectations that the world has of them, and that they have put on themselves. Siblings see each other more honestly than anyone else does, and it's through that lens that we explore their failures and strengths of navigating adulthood. The goal was to tell a story about a sibling relationship, romantic disappointment, all the while telling a universal, human story, normalizing disability.

- LM

We went into production for Chicken with the mindset that anything could happen to hold us back, change course or cancel our best laid plans. It was the peak of the pandemic, we had several immunocompromised cast members, and we were building a team with diverse people who were new to working the demanding hours and efforts of a film set. Even with our openness, we faced challenges. Covid shut us down, harsh weather made us adjust on the fly... but the professionalism and incredible attitude of our cast and crew, particularly from our neurodivergent cast members far exceeded any obstacles we ran into. I'm so deeply proud and humbled by what this team was able to create, and I know their work will speak for itself when you watch the film. Enjoy!

- EP