I LOVE YOU, EUGENIO

Director and co-writer Francisco J. Fernandez transmutes his own relationship and experiences with his real-life son Eugenio, born with Down's Syndrome, into a tender empowerment drama. The celluloid Eugenio, movingly interpreted by the great international actor Giancarlo Giannini, supports himself financially, enjoys a cozy house in the countryside, and generally lives a rich, independent life despite the daily challenges of his mental disability. Eugenio's radiant aura of contentment lends strength to others, especially at his job. For Eugenio works at a rest home for recovering accident victims, broken in body and spirit, where his kindness and innocence proves therapeutic. Eugenio's attitude is particularly healing and transformative for one languishing patient, a wheelchair bound young woman who is giving up on life. Based on a true story, I LOVE YOU, EUGENIO is a sentimental tale leavened with sensitive insights and compassion, depicting an extraordinary man who inspires us to overcoem the insurmountable adversities of life's twists and turns. (In Italian with English subtitles)