Championing Inclusion: A Cafe Joyeux Initiative to Overcome Obstacles

Jul. 04, 2024

"47" is based on the true story of a boy with Down syndrome who faces various obstacles throughout his life until he finally gets his first job at the age of 47. 

The film was directed and animated by Zombie Studio, whose team includes animators of the OSCAR® award-winning ‘PINOCCHIO’, as well as ‘ISLE OF THE DOGS’ and Tim Burton’s ‘FRANKENWEENIE.’ At Cannes, the film won 4 Lions, including a Silver Lion in the prestigious Film category. It also won 14 Clios, including a Grand and 5 Golds, and is currently competing in film festivals around the world. 

With 80% of the 8 million people in the U.S. with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD) unemployed, the film advocates for a more inclusive workforce and advertises for Cafe Joyeux - the group of European cafe-restaurants that trains and employs people with IDD. It recently opened its first U.S. location in New York City and sells fair-trade, roasted-in-NYC specialty coffee nationally, with 100% of proceeds dedicated to the training and meaningful employment of people with IDD.

• Sujeet Desai, a multi-talented American musician with Down syndrome plays the film’s soundtrack “Carry On” on piano, alongside Grammy-winning rock band FUN’s lead singer Nate Ruess. 
• José Omar Davila, a skillful Venezuelan orchestra conductor with Down syndrome, created the film’s sound effects and sound design. 
• Zombie Studios art director Bruno Jacob and his daughter Luna, who has Down syndrome, designed the film’s main character ‘Robert.’

Global health agency Klick Health wrote the script and led the project, teaming up with audio production company Canja Audio Culture and animation house Zombie Studio. Canja traveled to Desai’s hometown of Buffalo, NY to record him playing the piano in a local sound studio and directed Davila’s production remotely.