A drama with heart: half-brother fights for inheritance and acceptance!

A drama with heart: half-brother fights for inheritance and acceptance!

On October 26, 2025, cinemas will premiere a new family in the comedy “Whole Half Brother”. This touching story is about Thomas, who is accompanied by a probation officer after his prison term and finds out that his mother is in a coma and has left him a house. However, his half-brother Roland lives in the house in question, a laid-back guy who has a regular job and is passionate about weightlifting. What sets him apart from others? Roland has trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome.

Thomas initially sees Roland as an obstacle on his way to realizing the inheritance from the house sale. But as the two brothers meet, a relationship slowly begins to develop between them. With his cheerful nature and his courage to live, Roland turns his brother's perspective on its head.

A look at trisomy 21

Trisomy 21 is widespread - around one in 800 newborns in Germany is affected. People with this chromosomal peculiarity bring with them different skills and talents. Despite the challenges that come with living with trisomy 21, many sufferers show strengths, particularly in the emotional area. This means they often develop high social skills and reliability.

The health challenges must not be ignored: around 50% of those affected have a heart defect, and development is usually slower, especially in the first years of life. Cognitive impairments are also common, but the abilities of those affected vary greatly. A third of adults with trisomy 21 now live independently of their parents, which shows that independence is also possible.

The sibling relationships

But what about siblings of people with trisomy 21? A survey shows that over 96% of siblings feel affection for their affected brothers and sisters. The relationship is often perceived as positive, and 88% of respondents believe that their siblings have made them a better person. However, there are also challenges: 15% say they have to do too much for their siblings and 20% worry that their parents spend too much time with the child with Down syndrome.

But overall, the majority of siblings show a deep bond and desire to help their siblings learn new things. It's fascinating to see how sibling relationships can be so strong, especially in such constellations, and how much joy and support they bring into the lives of everyone involved.

“Whole Half Brother” will bring these themes to the screen and we hope audiences will have the opportunity to reflect a little on prejudice and the real relationships between siblings. This touching story could not only entertain, but also enlighten and touch.