The Peanut Butter Falcon: A Must-See Indie Film Starring Zack Gottsagen - Gold Coast Down Syndrome
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The Peanut
Butter
Falcon:
A Must-See Indie
Film Starring
Zack Gottsagen
FILM WINS AUDIENCE AWARD AT THE
PRESTIGIOUS SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST
(SXSW) FILM FESTIVAL, AND AUDIENCES
FALL IN LOVE WITH GLOBAL DOWN
SYNDROME FOUNDATION’S Q-AWARD
WINNER. THE KEY TO THE MOVIE’S
SUCCESS? FRIENDSHIP.
ZACK GOTTSAGEN IS NO STRANGER to the spotlight — in
fact, he dances right into it. Last year, Gottsagen received the Global
Down Syndrome Foundation Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy
Award. After giving a powerful acceptance speech, he literally threw
off his jacket and unexpectedly danced down the runway, charming a
crowd of over 1,400 guests at Global’s 10th Anniversary Be Beautiful
Be Yourself Fashion Show.
The accomplished actor, who is 33 years old and happens to have
Down syndrome, stars alongside Shia LaBeouf and Dakota Johnson
in a new feature-length indie film called The Peanut Butter Falcon.
where he pines to follow his dream of becoming a professional
Gottsagen’s breakout role and the film were praised by Variety
wrestler. Along the way, he meets Tyler (LaBeouf), a troubled
magazine’s review: “… there’s something so guileless and genuine
traveler with a mysterious past, and Eleanor (Johnson) who is sent
about Zak (qualities that stem directly from the actor playing him) from the nursing home with orders to return Zak to the facility. The
that he manages to win over both his newfound friend and the film also includes award-winning actors Thomas Haden Church, who
audience in the same coup.” plays a retired wrestler, and Bruce Dern, Zak’s roommate who helps
The review goes on to focus on the relationship between LaBeouf’s him escape from the nursing home.
and Gottsagen’s characters. “... Both [their acting] approaches result In March, Gottsagen and LaBeouf promoted the film together
in a kind of spontaneous unpredictability, making the characters’ at the prestigious SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, where The
choices feel constantly surprising.” Definitely two thumbs-up! Peanut Butter Falcon won the “Narrative Spotlight” Audience Award.
The Peanut Butter Falcon tells the story of a young man with Down The filmmakers are hoping to land a distribution deal and release
syndrome, Zak (Gottsagen), who escapes from the nursing home by summer of 2019.
18 2019 ISSUE 1 OF 4 • DOWN SYNDROME WORLD™
Featured: Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottsagen and his mothers, Shelley and Trish, and Shia LaBeouf at
Global’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show
Photos: Jared Wilson
DESTINED TO BE AN ACTOR
Gottsagen was born with an irresistible charm and drive to change
the world. Just ask his mom Shelley Gottsagen.
“Zack has this ability to connect with people from all walks of life,”
she says. “He has a real compassion and love for people.”
Schwartz continues, “Being friends with Zack for many years,
He was also born with the rare vigor and determination necessary
we tried to create the most authentic experience we could for our
to succeed in the entertainment business.
audience by writing a character that is really tailored to Zack and
“Zack tells everyone he meets about his passion for acting, which
his strengths.”
landed him a lead role in a feature film,” she adds.
Gottsagen’s character in The Peanut Butter Falcon, “Zak,” is
“I have wanted to be an actor since I was 3 years old,” Zack says.
consistent with Zack the actor in elements such as his love of
“I want to show people that no matter who you are, if you follow
wrestling and caring, determined spirit.
your heart, you can do whatever you want with your life.”
The result is truly a must-see movie. Variety likened it to indie
It was this charisma and determination that led to Gottsagen being
great Little Miss Sunshine and blockbuster hit Forrest Gump, calling
cast as one of the first actors with Down syndrome to star as the lead
it “a feel-good niche indie with its priorities in the right place.”
in a full-length feature film. Co-writers and directors, Tyler Nilson
and Michael Schwartz, explained their inspiration to write The GOTTSAGEN, LABEOUF, & JOHNSON ON-SCREEN CHEMISTRY
Peanut Butter Falcon. A huge part of any movie’s success is the on-screen chemistry of its
“Zack told Michael and me that we should write a movie for him to actors. The Peanut Butter Falcon has this in spades because the actors
star in,” Nilson says. “We thought it was genius!” became very close while filming. And they have remained close —
Nilson and Schwartz had worked with Gottsagan on other short supporting each other at award ceremonies and keeping in touch
films at Zeno Mountain Farm, a nonprofit that hosts inclusive camps frequently through text messages and phone calls.
in Vermont, California, and Florida for people of all abilities. They The bonding happened remarkably fast. Once Nilson and Schwartz
were taken not only by his acting ability but his uncanny sense of finalized the script, the crew had only 30 days to film on the isolated
timing and skill at reading others. But how to capture that on screen? beaches of Savannah, Georgia. Being together CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
GLOBALDOWNSYNDROME.ORG 19
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
every day for a month and working through late hours of the night, “When I met Zack just before we started filming The Peanut Butter
the cast truly became a family. Every morning before they started Falcon, I was totally bewildered by his purity of heart,” Johnson
shooting, Gottsagan would give the team a pep talk. explains. “He is extremely intelligent, kind, charming, hilarious, and
Gottsagen’s mom, Shelley, recalls, “He would call out certain deeply empathetic. He’s the most loving and embracing person I’ve
members of the group and thank them for what they did that day. ever met in my life.”
It really gave everyone that extra boost of confidence and created a
sense of community.” IMPROV GOLD
For LaBeouf and Gottsagen, their relationship began before the two It was important to the film’s stylistic integrity to keep everything
ever met. as realistic as possible.
“I saw a video of Zack and thought it would be incredible to work with “Zack insisted that he do all of his own stunts,” Shelley recalls.
him. I fell in love with him before I even met him,” LaBeouf explains. “I couldn’t believe that he jumped off the wooden bridge into the
LaBeouf, Johnson, and Gottsagen would eat lunch together every water or that he grabbed a fish with his bare hand! But he wanted
day during filming. Gottsagen consistently ate only chicken. Johnson it to be real.” She explained how this process wouldn’t have been
even named her rescue cat “Chicken” because she said it would possible without Nilson and Schwartz’s imaginative vision. “They
make her think of Gottsagan when she was home. While LaBeouf allowed Zack to have creative control with his scenes, which really
and Gottsagen would watch wrestling together every Monday and made a difference in bringing his character to life.”
Tuesday, Johnson would get mani/pedis with Gottsagen once a week. “Often, what Zack and Shia came up with was even better than
THE FILM INDUSTRY: SUPPORTING ACTORS
WHO ARE DIFFERENTLY-ABLED
Michelle Sie Whitten is proud to be listed as an executive Discrimination in Hollywood casting has been well-
producer of The Peanut Butter Falcon and to have the documented for women and minorities. Today, there is
Global Down Syndrome Foundation listed as a screen also a surging demand for people who are differently-
credit. The acknowledgment is based on her and Global’s abled to be cast.
screening of the film and expert input (no financing was
involved). Co-writers and directors of The Peanut Butter Falcon,
Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, aim to show the world the
Whitten’s father was a pioneer in the cable TV industry, importance of inclusion in all aspects of life.
helping launch powerhouse businesses such as Showtime,
Tele-Communications Inc., and the Starz and Encore movie “It’s important for everyone to be represented in Hollywood,”
networks. A self-described “cable baby,” Whitten grew up says Nilson.
in the industry before starting Global after her daughter,
A hot topic today is the controversy around whether
Sophia, was born with Down syndrome.
actors who are not disabled should be cast for characters
While Global is focused on significantly improving the with a disability. On one hand, good actors should be
lives of people with Down Syndrome through research, able to represent a myriad of characters. On the other,
medical care, education, and advocacy, the organization casting talented actors who are differently-abled in
also applauds organizations, such as RespectAbility, those roles adds more diversity and authenticity to those
and people, including Gail Williamson, who work hard characters.
to deliver equity and representation for actors and
“At the end of the day, the best way to support actors
entertainers who are differently-abled.
who are differently-abled is to show up and buy the
“The Peanut Butter Falcon is not only a wonderful film, it ticket,” says Whitten. “People who are differently-abled
also shows that actors who are differently-abled can and are a powerful consumer block, and we should exercise
should be cast in important and lead roles,” says Whitten. that more. Plus, who wouldn’t be happy to see this film?”
20 2019 ISSUE 1 OF 4 • DOWN SYNDROME WORLD™
what was on the page,” Nilson says. “Some of the funniest lines and After spending a good amount of time with Gottsagen, Whitten and
bits in the film, I have to admit, actually come from Zack’s improv!” her team made the decision to honor Gottsagen with Global’s 2018
Schwartz adds, “With Zack and Shia, we created a space for them Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award at their 10th Anniversary
to actually live the scenes.” Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest fundraiser for people
LaBeouf confirms how special the interaction was. with Down syndrome in the world.
“When Zack and I met, we would just start riffing with each other “Zack is a role model and inspiration not just for people with Down
[while filming],” he says. “Everywhere it went, we’d wind up with gold. syndrome, but for all of us,” says Whitten.
We had really deep conversations that I could only have with Zack.” To Whitten’s surprise, The Peanut Butter Falcon family immediately
Gottsagen agrees. “We practiced our lines, but we were able to rallied, and LaBeouf, Johnson, Nilson, Schwartz, and other crew members
make it real, and that’s what it’s all about.” descended upon Denver to support Gottsagen. LaBeouf and Johnson both
During red carpet interviews at SXSW, the whole cast and
introduced Gottsagen and helped bestow the Global award.
crew spoke to the understanding, patience, and appreciation they
Now Global is part of the family supporting Gottsagen and traveled
developed for people with Down syndrome by working with and
to Austin to cover him and The Peanut Butter Falcon at SXSW. Johnson
learning from Gottsagen.
was not able to attend but sent her best wishes to Gottsagen via text.
Schwartz summed it up. “There’s a magic that Zack brings to every
LaBeouf and Gottsagen walked the red carpet together, laughing,
scene. With him, he’s not just saying his lines, he’s actually feeling
joking, and posing for photos.
the moment.”
During the screening, the audience laughed and cried. When the
AN IMPORTANT ROLE MODEL, AN IMPORTANT FILM credits started to roll, there was a standing ovation. At the end of the
Gottsagen caught Global’s attention when a Global Ambassador, Q&A that followed, Gottsagen took the microphone.
Chase Turner Perry, identified a family connection to a producer of “I make Shia’s life better every day,” he told the SXSW audience.
The Peanut Butter Falcon. LaBeouf laughed and nodded in agreement. The sincere and unique
“We were actually a little nervous as we can’t support a film, even friendship, both on and off the screen, is undeniable.
a great film, if the messaging is counter to our advocacy work,”
says Michelle Sie Whitten, President and CEO of Global. “So we To learn more about the film, visit globaldownsyndrome.org/
organized a screening in Denver last May, and I was blown away peanut-butter-falcon.
by how excellent the film is, how it pulls you in, and how the film
Left and Center:
makes important societal statements that the Down syndrome The Peanut Butter Falcon
crew at the 2019 SXSW
community would be proud of.” Film Festival
Right: Global’s 2018
Q-Award winners
Colin Farrell and Zack
Gottsagen strike a pose
with Gottsagen’s moms,
Shelley and Trish
GLOBALDOWNSYNDROME.ORG 21
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