DARUMA: A Film Review
by Karen Pecota

Alexander Yellen | USA | 2023

Industry professionals: director/cinematographer Alexander Yellen and writer Kelli McNeil-Yellen direct, write, and produce DARUMA. According to CNN, “DARUMA is the first feature film to star two leads with disabilities in a narrative not about overcoming a disability.” The project is the recipient of both the Panavision New Filmmaker’s Grant and the Project ReFrame stamp of approval from Women in Film & The Sundance Institute.

Yellen explains, “We made DARUMA to be an earnest and positive contribution to the broader conversation around disability representation.” Adding, “And, as a statement about how we believe the world can be a better place.” Fewer that 2.5 percent of roles portray disabilities. Typically, even these parts are played by able-bodied actors and in most cases, the disability is something that the character needs to overcome.” Continuing, “We intend to help reshape and reframe the narrative around disability representation in entertainment and we hope that DARUMA will help normalize not only seeing people with disabilities on screen, but seeing them as whole, complex, and relatable.”

Synopsis:

A bitter wheelchair user, Patrick (Tobias Forrest), hiding behind the real reason he is among the disabled population, is newly aware that he has a four-year-old daughter, Camila (Victoria Scott) from a short-term relationship years prior. Patrick would never had known except Camila’s mother died unexpectedly. In her will, she names Patrick as the beneficiary of her estate, which includes Camila. Let’s just say, Patrick isn’t the loving father type, or an unselfish human being. He is point-blank annoyed by this newfound fortune.

Through trial-and-error Patrick comes to realize that he cannot appropriately care for a well-bodied little girl with his disabilities and his nightly sexual escapades. He pleads with his cranky, double amputee neighbor, Robert (John W. Lawson) to help him drive Camila to live with her maternal grandparent, Horace (Barry Bostwick) hundreds of miles away.

Patrick, Robert and Camila embark on a harrowing road trip that unexpectedly will change each of them forever.