Based on the book Life Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes and Autism, this documentary examines the place of animation in the evolving mind map of a child.
Made from home video footage, hand-drawn animation and scenes from Disney movies, the film explores the power of animated fable to transfer experience from one domain to another. Following the passion of their son and engaging with the world of Disney, the circle of people around Owen come to understand film as a tool-kit, a strong attractor, a shared vocabulary.
It screens here with the award-winning animated documentary A is for Autism (Tim Webb, 1992). Each design in the film is based on drawings by autistic contributors and the soundtrack combines their thoughts with piano and flute music performed by autistic performers.
This film is introduced by animated documentary maker Alex Widdowson. After the film, there is a ScreenTalk with director of A is for Autism, Tim Webb and Carla MacKinnon, artist and founder of Rich Pickings.
A is for Autism
UK 1992 Dir Tim Webb 11 min digital presentation
Life, Animated
US 2016 Dir Roger Ross Williams 92 min digital presentation
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How is this screening Relaxed?
A relaxed event takes place in an environment that is specially tailored for a neurodiverse audience, as well as those who find a more informal setting beneficial.
The cinema environment is tailored to the needs of the audience.
For this screening:
- The lights are dimmed, though not off.
- The volume levels a little lower than usual.
- At the moment, you have to stay in assigned seats, because of Covid-19 safety measures, but you're free to enter and exit the cinema at any time, with easy access for any wheelchair users.
- You're free to make noise in these screenings.
- Staff are trained and ready to assist with any help the audience may need during these trips to the cinema at Barbican.
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