Independent Owen (Michael Roberts, Australia, 2023) sits in the Focus on Ability programme as a concise exploration of independence, inclusion and achievement. Rather than offering a conventional narrative, the film reflects on themes around congenital disability, Down syndrome, employment and sport for teenagers with intellectual disability. Its tone is respectful and optimistic, inviting audiences to consider everyday choices, challenges and successes without sensationalising them. As part of the festival, Independent Owen contributes to a broader conversation about access and opportunity, and highlights why stories about young people with disability belong on screen. A short, thoughtful piece from a filmmaker interested in representation and possibility.
This is my brother Owen, and he has Down syndrome. I woke up in 7, got to do a bit. I'm doing backflips. Down syndrome is an intellectual disability, and despite this, Owen completed Year 12 last year, and now has two jobs to get ready for. One job is at the well-known Loon Croissantery, and the other is at Epworth Hospital in East Melbourne. Owen loves the routine. He independently gets himself ready for the day, and having got himself up in the morning, he gets his own breakfast and packs his lunch before unpacking the dishwasher. Owen then heads out to catch a bus to work. This is quite a challenge for him. Safely navigating the streets and the bus timetables. Owen lives his life to the fullest, holding his head high while maintaining his can-do attitude towards everything. I'm unstoppable. I'm a virtue beyond race. I'm invincible, and I will never cease to be. Here we go! I've only got a few years to live. I'm so confident. Owen's can-do attitude and zest for life has been recognised by customers and staff alike at Loon, Who hold Owen in high regard for his genuinely positive charisma. Owen wants to do things for himself. He doesn't want too much assistance, often saying, I'll do it myself. At the end of the day, he makes his way home on the bus and then gets ready to do it all again the next day. He loves to chill out by playing a few video games on the PC he bought himself with his own earnings. You've got a basketball comp today. Competition! You've got three or four games you're going to play. A lot. A lot, yes. Owen loves to work hard, but he also enjoys playing hard in various sports. Owen is an accomplished sportsman, playing basketball for Special Olympics. He recently competed for Victoria in athletics at the Special Olympics National Games in Launceston, bringing home two bronze medals for the 4x100m relay and 200m sprint, a silver medal for the 400m, and placing fifth in the 800m sprint. Owen has also medalled at the Snow Sports Nationals in the multi-class Giant Slalom and has just started playing cricket and tennis. In order to do this, Owen trains twice a week with his personal trainer Alistair, doing a mixture of running and weight training to keep in peak physical form. Once a week, Owen cooks a meal for the family. Cool, nice clean beach. Having chosen the recipe himself, he heads off to the supermarket to gather the necessary ingredients he will need to make the dish. What are you making now, Owen? I'm making insects. Insects what? Biscuits. Oh, how do you roll them? Quite often, he will round off the meal by either making a batch of biscuits or a dessert. Without any cracks. Pardon? Without any cracks. Without any cracks, cool. Money? Without money. It's not crying, is it? Oh yeah, look at that! Go Owen! I'm unstoppable today. I'm unstoppable today. I'm unstoppable today.
Filmmaker
Michael Roberts is the filmmaker behind this entry.
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31 comments
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Rod Moore22/10/2023
Go OwenGreat work Michael.
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Evan Costello23/08/2023
Excellent film about Owen. Great to see all that he has accomplished
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Teresa Ewart22/08/2023
A lovely film depicting a fine young man. It filled my heart with joy to see how well Owen is doing - organised independent strong fit and not to mention a great cook
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Bridget Hancock22/08/2023
Owen you sure are an inspiration to everyone.
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Mary Kollias21/08/2023
What a wonderful film full of love.Owen you are an inspirational young man and I'm sure your family is beyond proud of you .
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Frank Pozzebon21/08/2023
Wow with a brother like Michael Owen has got a great brother and a perfect friend.Family first
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John Kiomall21/08/2023
Congratulations Michael on creating this inspiring film .And even a bigger congratulations to Owen on his amazing accomplishments in sports school and working life. Shows what family love and support can do.
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celinda estallo21/08/2023
Thank you Michael for such an inspiring story. Through your strong family and community support Owen is strong. He perseveres and endures in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Owen thrives.
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Vivienne Twigg20/08/2023
Great film
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Sue Murray19/08/2023
Well done Michael what an great film highlighting the independence skills and achievements of your brother Owen.
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Stuart Brown19/08/2023
Credit to you both Michael. Everyone needs a brother like you. Ask Owen where my Anzac biscuits are
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Robert Balakas18/08/2023
So inspiring. Thank you for sharing and giving us this insight. Your dad always speaks so highly of you both
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Indra Simons18/08/2023
Great job Michael Owen. I loved the video.
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Jenny Kondylas18/08/2023
Michael has a sensitive compassionate view of Downs Syndrome from observing his brother
A
Anne Cherny18/08/2023
A wonderful film Michael showing the abilities of Owen and his determination to do things himself. A very touching film of brotherly love well done for focus ing on what Owen does and extremely well.
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Thomas Yeh17/08/2023
Great work Michael and you are wonderful brother. Your video touch my heart. I have a disability brother too. My brother is independent like your brother Owen now. All the best to you and your family.
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Jayce McMeeken17/08/2023
Well done Michael. Great movie about Owen. What an inspiration you both are. Love your independence Owen.Bradley Jayce and Carol.
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Amit Dogra17/08/2023
Great Work. Well Done
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Melissa Scarpaci17/08/2023
Michael what a superb showcase of your brothers daily life abilities work ethic and positive can-do attitude. No doubt the result of fabulous parenting and unconditional support I take my hat off to you both Auntie Julie and Paul for a job well done in raising two fine young men.
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Senaka De Silva17/08/2023
Great work Michael
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Luca Giannessi17/08/2023
Awesome work I love the work and the time it took to get to where it is today
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Fiona Morris17/08/2023
Amazing work Michael So proud of both you and Owen
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Shehani DE SILVA16/08/2023
Well done Michael. You get my vote
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Johannes Misselhorn16/08/2023
What a great movie. Congratulations Michael.
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Natalie Tennant16/08/2023
Well done Michael This is a fantastic film showcasing how amazing your brother is You should be very proud Well done
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Jutta Misselhorn16/08/2023
Absolutely fabulous. Well done Michael.
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Joseph Rapa16/08/2023
Great doco Michael. Easy flowing informative commentary. Also great actor you had to work with. No camera shyness from Owen at all.
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Natalie Tennant16/08/2023
Well done Michael What a fabulous film showcasing how amazing your brother is You should be very proud of yourself
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Helen Gatt16/08/2023
Excellent work Michael Owen is lucky to have you as a brother.
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Owen Roberts16/08/2023
I liked the film. thanks bro
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Julie Roberts16/08/2023
Fantastic job Michael. Showing how well Owen achieves in everything he does. He is an amazing young man. You are equally amazing as a supportive brother and son.
Go OwenGreat work Michael.
Excellent film about Owen. Great to see all that he has accomplished
A lovely film depicting a fine young man. It filled my heart with joy to see how well Owen is doing - organised independent strong fit and not to mention a great cook
Owen you sure are an inspiration to everyone.
What a wonderful film full of love.Owen you are an inspirational young man and I'm sure your family is beyond proud of you .
Wow with a brother like Michael Owen has got a great brother and a perfect friend.Family first
Congratulations Michael on creating this inspiring film .And even a bigger congratulations to Owen on his amazing accomplishments in sports school and working life. Shows what family love and support can do.
Thank you Michael for such an inspiring story. Through your strong family and community support Owen is strong. He perseveres and endures in spite of overwhelming obstacles. Owen thrives.
Great film
Well done Michael what an great film highlighting the independence skills and achievements of your brother Owen.
Credit to you both Michael. Everyone needs a brother like you. Ask Owen where my Anzac biscuits are
So inspiring. Thank you for sharing and giving us this insight. Your dad always speaks so highly of you both
Great job Michael Owen. I loved the video.
Michael has a sensitive compassionate view of Downs Syndrome from observing his brother
A wonderful film Michael showing the abilities of Owen and his determination to do things himself. A very touching film of brotherly love well done for focus ing on what Owen does and extremely well.
Great work Michael and you are wonderful brother. Your video touch my heart. I have a disability brother too. My brother is independent like your brother Owen now. All the best to you and your family.
Well done Michael. Great movie about Owen. What an inspiration you both are. Love your independence Owen.Bradley Jayce and Carol.
Great Work. Well Done
Michael what a superb showcase of your brothers daily life abilities work ethic and positive can-do attitude. No doubt the result of fabulous parenting and unconditional support I take my hat off to you both Auntie Julie and Paul for a job well done in raising two fine young men.
Great work Michael
Awesome work I love the work and the time it took to get to where it is today
Amazing work Michael So proud of both you and Owen
Well done Michael. You get my vote
What a great movie. Congratulations Michael.
Well done Michael This is a fantastic film showcasing how amazing your brother is You should be very proud Well done
Absolutely fabulous. Well done Michael.
Great doco Michael. Easy flowing informative commentary. Also great actor you had to work with. No camera shyness from Owen at all.
Well done Michael What a fabulous film showcasing how amazing your brother is You should be very proud of yourself
Excellent work Michael Owen is lucky to have you as a brother.
I liked the film. thanks bro
Fantastic job Michael. Showing how well Owen achieves in everything he does. He is an amazing young man. You are equally amazing as a supportive brother and son.