Otto Baxter

The story of Shmilu, a Hasidic Jew in crisis, torn between his community and the romantic possibilities of trendy East London.

We follow Otto Baxter, a 35-year-old man with Down Syndrome, over six years, as he writes and directs a foul-mouthed, autobiographical comedy-horror-musical set in Victorian London. Otto, who has always struggled to explain how he feels, uses his film The Puppet Asylum to explore his birth, adoption and his epic battle with ‘The Master’ – an evil magician hell-bent on controlling his life. During the filmmaking process Otto’s birth mother dies and he finds himself confronting life in the real world, including his future. Otto’s filmmaker friends Bruce Fletcher and Peter Beard help him to bring his vision to life, but also learn more about his unique perspective on the world and how they can play a role in his future.

Otto Baxter, a filmmaker with Down's Syndrome, directs and stars in this musical horror-comedy short based on his life, set in Victorian London.

Otto Baxter wants the same things as most 21-year-olds, with sex currently at the top of his list. He is confident, funny, and determined to experience all life has to offer. But Otto also has Down's Syndrome. In this documentary, he charts his coming-of-age year and his search for love and adventure in a society which treats him like a child.