Meeting Sofie

I got to know Sofie, 19 years old girl with Down Syndrome, in the autumn of 2017. She’s just finished school and spent almost every day on the family estate in Eilensted (Germany). I’ve been visiting Sofie and her family for over a 2 years, I had a chance to experience their everyday lives; seeing and sharing the highs and lows of this young girl’s first steps into love. At that time Sofie was in that awkward yet beautiful and thrilling age of transition from a girl to a woman, when every feeling is extremely intense and love seems to be the main purpose of live. However, Sofie’s relationship with boyfriend Andy ended the following summer — this breakup put Sofie in a very vulnerable state, when she was feeling down and depressed. Eventually, Sofie recovered, and I believe, she became stronger. I know, she wants to be a strong woman, and she actually is.

Every time I saw Sofie, I learn something new. She feels the same things as we do, but, I believe her feelings are more earnest, more intense. I’ve seen her happy as well as terribly sad. The feelings of the people she is close to and loves are important to her, as is how they relate to her. But she also finds joy in simple things and is free from social pressure. She doesn’t seem to worry about what others think of her at all. She is able to separate herself from the day-to-day. In that way, I believe she’s freer than we are.

Sofie continues to live on the farm estate with her parents, her brother and the countless animals.
The series gives the viewer a glimpse into the Sofie's life, in the fascinating „Sofies world“ and her sensitive nature.