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My Hero Brother

A group of remarkable young people with Down syndrome embark on a demanding trek through the Indian Himalayas, accompanied by their brothers and sisters. Unresolved conflicts and the complexities of growing up with a Down syndrome child in the family come to surface, while a heart-warming and special closeness develops among the siblings as they deal with formidable physical and emotional challenges.
The difficult trials and poignant relationships, set against the richly colorful backdrop of India, open new horizons and greatly deepen our understanding of special needs people and their families.

  • Yonatan Nir
    Director
    Dolphin Boy, Cutting the Pain, Beyond the Boundaries
  • Yonatan Nir
    Producer
  • Enosh Cassel
    Producer
  • Itamar Peleg
    Producer
  • Ayelet Zurer
    Producer
    Munich, Angels & Demons
  • Yonatan Nir
    Writer
  • Tali Goldenberg
    Writer
    Lia, Cutting the Pain
  • Ehud Banai
    Original Soundtrack
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    אח שלי גיבור
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Disabilities, Inclusion, Inspiration
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 18 minutes 22 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 10, 2016
  • Country of Origin:
    Israel
  • Country of Filming:
    India, Israel
  • Language:
    Hebrew
  • Shooting Format:
    HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Santa Barbara International Film Festival
    Santa Barbara
    United States
    February 7, 2017
    North America Premiere
    Best Documentary Film Award, Audience Choice Award
  • Doc Edge International Film Festival
    Auckland, Wellington
    New Zealand
    May 12, 2017
    New Zealand Premiere
    Best International Director Award
  • Heartland Film Festival
    Indianapolis
    United States
    October 20, 2017
  • Jerusalem International Film Festival
    Jerusalem
    Israel
    July 11, 2016
    Israeli Premiere
  • Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival
    Philadelphia
    United States
    November 5, 2017
    Audience Award
  • ReelAbilities Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    March 2, 2017
  • Wasatch Mountain Film Festival
    Salt Lake City
    United States
    June 23, 2017
    Social Awareness Award
  • Palm Beach International Film Festival
    Palm Beach
    United States
    March 29, 2017
  • Bosifest Film Festival
    Belgrade
    Serbia
    October 10, 2017
    Special Mention Award
  • Chagrin Documentary Film Festival
    Cleveland
    United States
    October 3, 2017
  • National Down Syndrome Congress
    Sacramento
    United States
    July 22, 2017
  • World Down Syndrome Congress
    Glasgow
    United Kingdom
    July 25, 2018
  • Carpentras Israeli Film Festival
    Carpentras
    France
    October 6, 2018
    Best Documentary Award
Distribution Information
  • My Hero Brother
    Country: Israel
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Yonatan Nir

Award-winning filmmaker Yonatan Nir has been telling stories for over a decade – from epic photojournalist reports, to the critically acclaimed Dolphin Boy (2011) which was acquired by Disney Pictures and screened in over 130 film festivals, he successfully captures and portrays unique relationships formed between man and nature. After joining Hey Jude Productions in 2008, Nir went on to direct and produce Beyond the Boundaries (2011), Cutting the Pain (2012), and The Essential Link (2017). Nir is also a highly demanded speaker and film professor and has given over 500 lectures in Israel and around the world.

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Director Statement

In the course of the film, I hope that the viewer will undergo an experience that will change his way of looking at the main characters: not as ill-fated people who have been given a chance to experience a brief release from suffering, but rather as human beings blessed with qualities many of us yearn to have, struggling with their limitations in an highly admirable and courageous way, with the ability to open the hearts of those around them and turn them into better human beings.