Heiners Filmseiten – That’s What I Am (en)

That’s What I Am

Greek title: Αφτος ειμαι
Russian title: Вот я какой
Original title: That’s What I Am

Alternative titles:
Aftos eimai | Αφτος ειμαι | Big Ginger | Big Red

Feature – USA
Production year: 2010
Movie length: 101 minutes

Director: Michael Pavone
Writer: Michael Pavone
Cinematograph: Kenneth Zunder
Music: James Raymond

Movie description:

A coming-of-age story that follows 12-year-old Andy Nichol, a bright student who, like most kids his age, will do anything to avoid conflict for fear of suffering overwhelming ridicule and punishment from his junior high school peers. Everyone’s favorite teacher, Mister Simon, pairs Andy with the school’s biggest outcast and social pariah, Stanley, aka »Big G« on a critical term project. Sporting thick orange hair, a head too big for his body and ears too big for his head, »Big G« has been the object of ridicule since grade school. Before long, Andy will learn that there was truly a method behind Mister Simon’s madness as to why he teamed these two up. As the story unfolds, Mister Simon finds himself the target of a malicious rumor after Principal Kelner suspends a school bully for brutally beating up a female classmate who he thinks has »cooties.« When Andy watches »Big G« fearlessly confront the school bully, a series of events are triggered, which change the lives of both young men – and their teacher – forever. Much to Andy’s surprise »Big G« is brilliant, kind, tolerant and a decent human being, who has more dignity than anyone Andy has ever encountered.

Boy Actors