Finding the Words, a
documentary about children recovering
from autism, by Horn Productions. Distributed by the Video Project.
Library
Call Number: RJ506.A9F56 2010.
From the website:
FINDING THE WORDS is the story of eight "perfect babies", each
given a grim diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as toddlers, whose
grieving families fight prejudice, misinformation, and despair to get their
children well again.
Filmed in thirteen locations across the United States, this
hour-long documentary is an ensemble piece, presenting elements of each
family's long, emotional journey through home videos, photographs and medical
reports; as well as interviews with the families, the childrens' doctors,
therapists and friends. Commentary on these remarkable stories is provided by a
courageous group of doctors all working to rewrite the future for ASD afflicted
children by accepting a surprisingly controversial premise: autistic children
can recover.
The film also
captures the unfolding drama of scientific discovery as doctors, pushed along
by relentless parents, search for answers. The synergy we see between these
determined families and the doctors who have been called to lead this struggle
to uncover better therapies for ASD is fascinating. We see a paradigm shift in
the doctor/patient model, and a great example of how treatments can be
discovered in the presence of urgent need.
The Black
Balloon, starring
Rhys Wakefield, Gemma Ward, Erik Thomson and Toni Collette. Directed by Elissa
Down. Library Call Number: PN1995.9.H34B53 2010.
In this Australian film, the odds
seemed stacked against Thomas, as he turns 16—his family has just moved to a
new town in New South Wales, his dad’s in the army and his mother’s
pregnant. It would be hard enough to
find new friends and maybe even a girlfriend, but then there’s the problem of Charlie,
his autistic older brother, who is a constant embarrassment every time they’re
out in public.
When Thomas takes swimming lessons,
he meets Jackie and is instantly in love, but when she drops by his house, his
brother is there, complicating matters.
How is Thomas ever going to learn how to exist with his brother?
Movie fans might remember the early
Leonardo DiCaprio/Johnny Depp movie, What’s
Eating Gilbert Grape? And find overtones in this movie, but Black balloon
is in no way imitative.
Director Downs focuses neatly on the
problems of adolescence and dealing with a family member with special needs. Her
story carries the ring of truth, perhaps because she herself grew up with
autistic brothers and co-wrote the script.
Dramatic and funny, this is not a glossed-over look at a challenging
family life, but it does leave the viewer with a sense of optimism concerning
the human spirit.
Nominated for 24 awards and winner of
17 in Australia and elsewhere, this is a movie well worth seeing.
