This film grew around a simple video of my dear friend Jon Roth receiving his new Jui Jitsu belt while his amazing and curious son, Kai watched on in awe- and it got me thinking about the concept of heroes, and how children see their parents as superheroes who can take on the world.
In reality, there are millions of children in the world who are actual heroes without knowing it; the ones we look up to; the ones who have shown unrelenting bravery and thrived in situations most of us couldn’t even imagine taking on.
Tasha and Jon are the most loving, caring, nurturing parents to Mr. Strong himself, Kai. Whether through nurturing a morning routine, sweetly singing happy birthday to him as a new mother while bravely facing unfathomable challenges ahead or teaching Kai how to surf or snowboard- they have always made sure to let their little superhero soar.
Our children, by nature, have such an innocent and kind view of the world around them. They are able to face things we as adults fear. They have never experienced how harsh and unfair the world around us can be, and those worries never intrude.
In this way our kids make us want to be better people, to support their innocent views of the world – and they continue to look to us for guidance.
In a metaphorical sense – parents and children are constantly becoming one with each other in order to better ourselves.
We are each other’s heroes.
Thank you to the amazing crew and post production team who worked incredibly hard on this film- and to Revolver Films for believing in tiny heroes.
Most of all, thank you to Tasha and Jon for letting us take over your lives for two days to tell an amazing story about Kai.
Production: Revolver Films
Director: Kelsey Larkin
Executive Producer: Richie Cureton
Executive Producer: Luc Frappier
Producer: Lisa Kannakko
DP: Martin Wojtunik
Production Manager: Nicole Lane
1st AC: Ryan McIntyre
2nd AC: Mia Gidge
Gaffer: Artur Vetsteins
Sound Recordist: Adam Parsons
Editorial: Outsider Editorial
Editor: Alison Gordon
Assistant Editors: Malavika Anupraj & Sabrina Piccione
Executive Producers: Kristina Anzlinger & Kayan Choi
Colour & VFX: Artjail
Colourist: Clinton Homuth
Colour Assistant: Austin Tang
Senior Producer: Alison Kinnear
Audio & Composition: Vapor Music
Creative Director: Brendan Quinn
Executive Producer: Kailee Nowosad
Sound Designer: Kevin Chamberlain
Engineers: Dave Worthen
The Down Syndrome Resource Foundation @DSRFCanada
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