Click To Play

This is my 50-minute documentary that follows two first-time volunteer companions at Handicamp, which is a recreational camp for adults with mental disabilities that I directed & produced back in 2000.

I created this film out of a frustration of not being able to communicate the depth of experiences that happen while serving the needs of someone with a mental disability for a week. Over the last 7 years, the film has catalyzed a lot for Lutheran Disability Ministries like helping them secure a number of grants and more importantly it’s helped them recruit enough volunteers to make the camp happen — now with seven sessions each summer. There is also a longer 86-minute version that they use for training the volunteer companions at the beginning of the week.

Handicampplayed at half a dozen film festivals, and there was even one offer of distribution from a small company, but not without giving up the rights to the film forever. And I’m glad that I held off so that I could freely post it online where it will hopefully find more of an audience.

But this film also has a special meaning for us here at Ebb & Flow because it was one of the first things I showed to Jen, and apparently it made quite an impression on her. As recounted by Charles Cohen in a cover story about us:

“I watched it with my dad,” Gouvea says. “And I said, ‘This is the guy I’m going to marry.’ And my dad is like, ‘Oh, right.’ And I said, ‘No, I’m serious. I know I can tell.’”

She says she could tell a lot about its director by watching the film. The story was sweet, with “themes about love and community and questioning human relationships.” Soon, they were inseparable.

So yeah. At least watch the first minute, which is a short teaser trailer. And if it looks interesting, then block off an hour to watch the whole thing.

Here’s a brief overview of the film.

Sean is a long-time camper who has Down Syndrome, and this year he is paired with Jeff for the week. They quickly form a tight bond, and Jeff is able to break down Sean’s jovial facade and get down to the core issues of his life. Sean is aware of his disability, and he wonders why he’s alone and still living at home with his parents. He also wonders why he can’t fall in love and why he doesn’t have many friends. These are tough issues for Jeff to respond to, and he can’t provide Sean with all of the answers. But he can focus on building a relationship with Sean and planting seeds for a long-lasting friendship beyond Handicamp.

Bonnie has been coming to Handicamp for two years and knows how to have a good time. She never stops laughing and is amused with the simple pleasures in life. Bonnie is known to love her volunteer companion one second and then hate her the next second which makes her a difficult camper to match up. Fortunately, Bonnie is paired with a teenager named Diane who becomes one of the best friends that Bonnie has ever had.

Produced by Kent Bye
Music by Gwen Mitchell
More info on Handycamp & Lutheran Disability Ministries can be found here

A lower-quality flash version is also posted over at Google Video — the defacto home of indie docs: