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NDSS > Newsroom > The Peanut Butter Falcon

The Peanut Butter Falcon

I interviewed Zack, check it out!

Watch my interview!

I got some juicy news for you! Did you know that I got to meet Zack Gottsagen, the star actor in the critically acclaimed movie The Peanut Butter Falcon? Well, I did. In fact, I even got to interview him!

I got to meet the directors of the movie, and after that, I started asking Zack and the directors questions. I asked the directors what was it like working with an actor with Down syndrome, and they said it was a new but fun challenge for them and that they really enjoyed working with him. I asked them how did you make the movie, and they told me that they filmed it in the Outer Banks and the mainland of North Carolina. I asked them if they have any advice for other movie directors who also work with actors and actresses with Down syndrome. They told me that other movie directors should be open to hiring more people with Down syndrome and people with other disabilities. I asked Zack how he got into acting. He told me that he knew the directors personally and that they just took a chance on him. I asked Zack what things he likes to do when he’s not making movies, and he said that he loves sports like baseball, basketball, and soccer not really wrestling.  I asked him how acting helps him break down barriers in the movie industry, and he replied that he’s just doing what he loves, and wasn’t aware that he was breaking down barriers.  I asked him who his favorite movie star idol is, and he told me Dakota Fanning. The final question I asked him was if he had any advice for other people with Down syndrome who might aspire to be actors and actresses, and he said just be yourself. Overall, Zack is similar to you and me in the sense that he’s just a regular person with many interests.

I liked how the directors said that other movie directors should be open to hiring more people with Down syndrome and people with other disabilities. I really, really urge you to go see this movie because it is the embodiment of what self-advocates like Zach and I are capable of!

 

Check out the Trailer of  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNl9RqjLCwc&t=1s

Tickets: Ticketing is now live on The Peanut Butter Falcon official website http://www.thepeanutbutterfalconmovie.com

Meet an Athlete Ambassador

Donovan has loved doing physical activities since he was very young. His older siblings are close to him in age and treated him no differently than they would anyone else, especially when it came to physical activities. At a young age, his parents realized how strong and coordinated he was and enrolled him in as many activities as possible. Donovan participated in your typical town sports such as peewee football, soccer and T-ball. As he has gotten older, Donovan has become aware of the importance of staying in shape, so he became conscientious of his eating habits and decided he needed to improve his daily eating habits. Therefore, on his own Donovan has decided to increase his proteins and he cut way back on empty carbohydrates; facts he learned in Health class at his school in Chatham, New Jersey: ECLC of New Jersey. Donovan is proud to represent NDSS as an athlete ambassador.

— Donovan Garrity

Learn More

National Down Syndrome Society
Telephone: 800-221-4602
Fax: 646-870-9320
Email: info@ndss.org

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