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In
the late 1950s and early 60s, more than 10,000 children were born with
deformities due to the use of Thalidomide, a drug used in sedatives.
Filmmaker Niko von Glasow was one of the victims, and in
Nobody’s Perfect he tracks down 11 others who suffered the
disastrous side-effects.
Niko is recruiting them to pose nude for a book of photographs, to give
the ever- present gawkers a good, long look. He especially wants the
executives at Grünenthal, the pharmaceutical company that
produced the drug, to see the result of their crimes. He ends up
stalking his way into their offices like a German Michael Moore,
confronting them with images of their misdeeds.
The children of Thalidomide are the heart of the film, though, as they
battle their body-image issues with courage and dark humor, while
pursuing their diverse and successful careers. They are painters,
champion horse-riders, actors, and astrophysicists, an inspiring group
who overcame incredible odds to become extraordinary people.
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"...while it might sound like a recipe for a depressing documentary, Nobody’s Perfect is anything but—it’s a poignant film that also offers warmth, humor, and a touch of righteous anger. Highly recommended. *** 1/2 Stars." -Video Librarian Magazine, May/June 2010 |
