Into Life Films / Into Life Productions

in association with

Earthworks Films, Inc.

 present

What's Up With Down the documentary

Who we are:

Charmaine Cruz (writer/director/producer), Into Life Films - award-winning filmmaker, and actor

Earthworks Films, Inc. (in association) – Academy Award-Winning documentary film production company

From the Heart Productions, Inc. – non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation – Fiscal Sponsor, Carole Dean – recipient of the 2012 WIFTS (Women’s International Film and Television Showcase) Lifetime Achievement Award

Please view more of our crew on Our Team below

Your contribution is TAX DEDUCTIBLE under our fiscally sponsored 501(c)(3) status

I have never been so driven to tell a story until now.

My name is Charmaine Cruz and I am a mom, filmmaker, and activist.  Two and a half years ago I had a son with Down syndrome who changed my life completely.  He opened up my world to a whole other dimension by taking me into the lives of these magical individuals living around us with Down syndrome.

I like most people didn't know anything about Down syndrome, and I was afraid - I didn't know what to expect...I was in for an incredibly wonderful surprise.

I believe people with Down syndrome are here to teach us...

There’s an amazing feeling of joy that is felt just by being around individuals with Down syndrome.  They are so inspiring.  Despite their physical and developmental challenges, they don't let them get in the way.  Most are positive, full of wonder, humor, and with their own real hopes and dreams and desire to succeed.

Most people don't know how to be around people with Down syndrome because most people have not been exposed to many individuals with Ds.

I have learned about the unfortunate realities that people with Down syndrome face on a daily basis: discrimination, segregation, violence, hatred, and prejudice - all due to societal fear due to lack of awareness and education.

We will delve into the history of Down syndrome and their journey to today.  You will be inspired and enlightened by their purity of spirit, their incredible progress, accomplishments, and the possibilites that are out there today for people with Down syndrome.

By supporting this documentary film you can be a powerful force in educating greater society and creating a better and friendlier world for these wonderful human beings.

What We Need & What You Get

We are raising $600k.  I know that's a large number, but that's what it will cost to make the movie with the quality in which we hope to make it.  This will cover all our production expenses including talent, all production crew, research, administrative costs, crew meals, travel and lodging expenses for special interviews, camera, story rights, permissions and licensing, editing, music, music licensing, post-production costs, production insurance, fiscal sponsorship, indiegogo fees...all the elements that go into making a feature length documentary.

Most likely we will not raise even close to all our funds on our indiegogo campaign, but whatever we raise here will help us raise the rest of what we need.

We have some really cool and fun perks - check them out!  My personal favorite is adding your own sentence in the documentary...you never know when it will appear!

Besides perks, you'll receive the gift of giving and the great feeling you get when you give!

If we don't raise all our funds on this campaign, we will still make the movie no matter what.  Perks will be fulfilled as long as we reach our goal.  All the funds raised will go into producing the project.

The Impact

Up to 95% of pregnancies diagnosed with Down syndrome around the world are terminated.  If only people knew what sweet, loving gifts people with Down syndrome are...parents might decide to give them a chance at life.  This has nothing to do with politics.  It has to do with the decision to not continue a pregnancy because the pregnancy is diagnosed with Down syndrome.  

CBS 2 News aired a special on a relatively new pre-natal test MaterniT21 Plus. The test can detect chromosomal variances by a simple blood test early on in pregnancy. The non-invasive test raises the question of whether or not the termination rate for pregnancies diagnosed with Trisomy 21 will be affected.  Since I am one of the 5-8% who had a pre-natal diagnosis but carried to term, I was interviewed. Kristine Lazar interviews:  Watch it here.

Advocacy, Education, Awareness is key.

Before the 1960's in the US and still today in other countries parents were advised to commit their babies with Down syndrome and other special needs to institutions to live out their lives.  In the 1960's here in California, a group of parents got together to advocate for babies, children, and the people with special needs living under horribly inhumane conditions in our state's mental institutions and hospitals.  As a direct result of their commitment to help these innocent people, institutionalization came to an end and the average life span of an adult living with Down syndrome went from 25 years old to living into their 60's.

Let's follow their example.

Through the use of film media, we have the power to heighten perspectives to a wide demographic and affect major change in the world.

In the words of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon:

"Persons with Down syndrome often face stigma and segregation, physical and psychological abuse, and lack of equal opportunities. A vicious circle of exclusion can begin early in life as many children with Down syndrome are denied access to mainstream education or any education at all...Given the appropriate support and opportunity, all individuals living with Down syndrome can achieve their potential, realize their human rights on an equal basis with others and make an important contribution to society. We must, therefore, intensify our efforts to create conditions of empowerment that allow meaningful participation of persons with Down syndrome. Working together, we can help build an equitable, just and inclusive world that celebrates diversity, is free of discrimination and provides equal opportunities for all." - World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, 2013

NOW IS THE TIME...

This documentary is not only for those with Down syndrome, but for all human beings. Those among us of difference teach us how to open our hearts and love and accept others, and in the process we are given the unexpected gift of love and acceptance toward ourselves.

WE ARE PRACTICING INCLUSION ON OUR PROJECT WITH THE MEMBERS OF OUR "EXCEPTIONAL CREW"!