Stand Up
The cheerful Vera (23) lives for freedom and adventure—until she loses her leg in an accident. At a rehabilitation center, she must not only learn to cope with her new body, but also say goodbye to her old life.
While her parents want to protect her, Vera wants nothing more than to regain her independence. At the rehabilitation center, she meets Xander, a young man in a wheelchair and a stand-up comedian who couldn’t care less about what others think. A close bond develops between them—one that avoids well-meaning clichés and inspirational slogans, but leaves room for anger, frustration, humor, stubbornness, and sex.
Representation is central to *Stand Up*. Mari Sanders co-wrote the screenplay with the cast, with characters with disabilities played by actors with disabilities. For example, lead actress Lucia Zemene is herself an amputee, so her experience is very close to Vera’s.
