Actor with Down syndrome wins top Spanish film award
September 28th, 2009
From Agence France Press:
Pablo Pineda, a Spanish actor with Down syndrome, has been awarded the best actor prize at the San Sebastian Film Festival for his performance in the film “Yo, Tambien” (“Me Too”).
Pineda plays a 34-year-old man with Down syndrome who, like Pineda himself, earns a university degree. His character then goes on to start his first job in regional social services and fall in love with a colleague. Pineda has a university degree in special education.
To play Sanz with a range of emotions from joy to disappointment and sadness “called for a lot of introspection, I had to relive some very difficult moments,” said Pineda after the feature-length film by directors Antonio Naharro and Alvaro Pastor was screened at the festival.
See also:
Pablo Pineda: ‘Soy realista: yo no soy un actor’ — El Mundo (Spain) — An excerpt:
“El problema”, abundó Pineda, “es que hay gente que ni siquiera tiene una oportunidad en la vida como la que yo he tenido. He hecho esta película por ellos. Siempre me he considerado el portavoz, el que lleva la bandera del colectivo Down, porque no tienen voz. Alguien tiene que tenerla y me ha tocado a mí”.
Unofficial translation:
“The problem,” explained Pineda, “is that there are people who have not even had the opportunity in life like the one I have had. I have made this film on their behalf. I have always considered myself the spokesman, the one to carry the flag for the Down syndrome community, because they don’t have a voice. Somebody must have it, and it has fallen to me.”
Pablo Pineda: ‘Hoy parezco Brad Pitt’ — El Mundo
Pablo Pineda: “No habría sido lo mismo si no se lo hubieran dado a Lola” — Estrella Digital
‘Yo, también’, las personas con síndrome de Down también se enamoran — Galiciaé
(AFP photo)



September 30th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Bravo! Let’s hope this film gets seen in English-speaking countries too.
September 28th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
This gentleman is awesome! I would love him to come work with my school district. They could learn a thing or two from him. Maybe it would help my district start to move forward into the 21st century and not be stuck back in 1975. I would be so honored to meet him one day and look forward to seeing the movie when it comes to our shores.
September 28th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Como se dice “congratulations” en espanol?