The Netflix film Los Dos Hemisferios de Lucca has generated considerable buzz, thanks to its poignant and inspiring narrative centered on the true story of Lucca Bianciotto, whose birth accident dramatically altered the lives of his parents, Bárbara Anderson and Andrés Bianciotto, and his brother Bruno. The film captures their heartbreaking yet hopeful quest for treatment after Lucca was born with cerebral palsy due to complications during delivery.
On October 14, 2011, the world turned upside down for this Argentinian family when Bárbara went through a traumatic childbirth. A malfunction with the epidural anesthesia caused serious complications, leading to Bárbara suffering cardiac arrest. Due to the urgency of the situation, doctors had to perform emergency measures to safely deliver Lucca, who initially failed to breathe. The heroic efforts of nurses saw him reanimated, but the damage was already done—Lucca faced multiple disabilities due to the lack of oxygen at birth.
After two months spent fighting for survival in neonatal intensive care, doctors confirmed the devastating effects of Lucca's birth accident, including difficulties with speech, hearing, and mobility. Faced with these challenges, the family dedicated themselves to Lucca's care, hoping one day to find effective treatment.
Fast forward to 2017, when hope appeared on the horizon: the family learned about Dr. Rajah Kumar, who offered cutting-edge treatment using Cytotron, situated all the way across the globe in Bangalore, India. Without hesitation, Bárbara and Andrés seized the opportunity, embarking on what they hoped would be a life-changing trip for their little boy.
Spending 28 days under the care of Dr. Kumar, Lucca underwent various therapies aimed at repairing some of the neural connections damaged at birth. The treatment proved partially successful; Lucca made strides, correcting strabismus, beginning to articulate speech, and showing glimpses of his blossoming personality. Encouraged by his progress, his parents returned to India two years later for additional treatment, which yielded even greater improvements.
Bárbara Anderson reflected on the transition from real-life events to the big screen. She expressed overwhelming emotions when she witnessed her family's story retold through film. "Mirarse a uno mismo en una película es muy difícil de explicar, lloré al vernos 'ser' otra vez. Escuchar la voz de Bárbara Mori y de Juan Pablo Medina con mi timbre o con las muletillas de Andrés... me vi 'siendo' otros y se me congeló el cuerpo,” she shared, highlighting how surreal it felt to see their narrative portrayed on screen.
Bárbara Mori, who plays the role of Lucca's mother, stated, "Para mí, esta película y esta oportunidad de interpretar una historia real, que habla de la discapacidad, es algo que necesitamos con urgencia que se normalice en nuestro país, que no se vea como algo raro, como algo ajeno." Mori emphasized the necessity of fostering acceptance and recognition of disability within society, pointing out how stories like Lucca's should prompt meaningful discussions.
Bárbara Anderson opened up about her own struggle with guilt, admitting, “Cada vez que Lucca se dormía yo lloraba y le pedía perdón porque me sentía muy culpable de que a mí no me pasó nada y a él sí.” This poignant statement encapsulates the feelings many parents endure when faced with unexpected hardships involving their children.
Through Los Dos Hemisferios de Lucca, audiences witness the family's resilience, love, and unwavering hope. It's more than just the triumph over adversity; it serves as both an inspiration and reminder of the extraordinary lengths parents will go to for their children. The film resonates with viewers, urging society to engage with the powerful stories of families facing disability and the human experience.