Petra's Poem

In this visually compelling short, Toronto Artist Petra Tolley, who has Down syndrome, draws from her emotional experiences to produce a distinctive take on the social self. Petra is not alone: a group of adults with Down syndrome use performance to explore the dynamics of seclusion, societal expectations and social support. Director Shira Avni employs rotoscopy, hand-drawn animation techniques and subtle stereoscopic 3D, capturing Petra as she engages the camera with unflinching directness, heightening our sense of intimacy, alienation, bonding, and ultimately, dignity.