MEBO PATM : World Premier of The Boy Who Smells Like Fish

The amazing Canadian film - The Boy Who Smells Like Fish - had its world premiere last night to a sold out crowd at The Miami International Film Festival -
sponsored by The Miami Downtown Development Authority
Schwatz Media Strategies 3MAR13

In The Boy Who Smells Like Fish, the talented young actor, Douglas Smith skillfully portrays the consequences of constant social ostracism due to his rare disease, trimethylaminuria – the modern day "leprosy." As Mica’s therapist, Carrie Anne Moss brings elegance and sensitivity to her role. Through her, the screenwriters, Javier Gullón and Analeine Cal y Mayor depict the boy’s deep psychological wounds from early childhood to adulthood, and his very poor future prospect in relationships and in career opportunities. Zoe Kravitz gives depth to her character, Laura, who is a breath of fresh air with her upbeat and loving way in spite of her own personal challenges. Ariadna Gil, Mica’s mother expertly personifies the torment mothers of children with rare diseases experience, while Don McKellar depicts a father who simply can’t cope with his son’s condition.

In the end, the screenwriter’s use of magic realism as the conclusion to this unsolvable metabolic disorder personifies a defiant spirit that persists without surrender. It attempts to break through the natural barrier inherent in a rare disease and screams, "anything is possible; we just have to believe and reach for it." This film tells the story of a doomed life with a delightful dose of artistic stimulation, and invites the viewer on a journey to break through the obvious limits to follow a dream of what could be. Gonzalo Vega's captivating style is a perfect vessel to draw the audience into this magic realism. Bravo!

After the film had finished, the whole cast, director, and producers went up to the stage for a Q & A session with the audience. When the Director, Analeine was asked the first question, she said that she first wanted to introduce me, asked me to stand up (I was in the audience), and told the audience that I was the founder of MEBO Research, a public charity whose mission is to promote research into trimethylaminuria. The audience broke out in a great applause, and even after I sat back down, they kept on clapping, so I had to stand up again. I never thought TMAU would get such a powerful applause from non-sufferers, so I know the film had an impact and carried the message well.

María