Action in Autism:
Fundraiser Film: The Reason I Jump - Cinema 3, Gateway, Umhlanga
Sunday 21 November, 16h45
Action in Autism will host a special screening of the award-winning film The Reason I Jump based on the book by Japanese Naoki Higashida, who is Autistic, and was thirteen at the time of writing. This will be a fundraiser for the organisation which supports Autistic people and their families through the provision of services and resources, on Sunday 21 November at 16h45 Cinema 3, Gateway, Umhlanga.
Through his writing Higashida maps the experiences of being Autistic and translates these experiences for a neurotypical readership – the hyper-focus, the destabilisation, the social difficulties as well as the unique joys and benefits of thinking in a way that is neurologically a-typical. The internationally celebrated book was first published in Japanese in 2007 and later translated into English, the process supported and publically endorsed by the renowned novelist David Mitchell, who has an Autistic son.
The cinematic version of The Reason I Jump, created by film-maker Jerry Rothwell, won the Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary at Sundance in 2020. It is brought to Durban through an exciting partnership between Videovision Entertainment and Action in Autism. The screening of this powerful documentary aims to raise much-needed funds for Action in Autism’s two flagship projects, the Early Intervention and Therapy Centre, and the Shahumna Centre, a skills transference and business hub for adults with Autism and related neurological conditions. “The intention of The Reason I Jump, as both a book and a film,” writes Adrian Horton in The Guardian in a review from 9 January, “is explicitly didactic, a missive to explain one person’s neuro-divergent experience and broader call to expand one’s imagination of human cognition.”
Action in Autism’s vision is for Autistic people and all people with disabilities to be accepted, respected and valued as members of the community. “This fundraiser speaks to who we are,” says Liza Aziz, Action in Autism’s Chairperson and the parent of an adult Autistic son. “It empowers and teaches people about a world of which they know very little.” Videovision Entertainment has supported the organisation since its inception in 2005, and continues to work as one of the partners that ensures opportunity for Autistic people through events such as this screening.”
“In the film Rothwell examines the lives of five young people who live with Autism spectrum disorder, and is a perfect tool to educate people on Autism, so we are delighted to continue our association with Action in Autism since its founding, and to support the exemplary work done by Liza Aziz and the Action in Autism team,” said Sanjeev Singh, Videovision Entertainment’s Director of Distribution and Acquisition.
Tickets are R120 and can be booked by calling 031 563 3039 or emailing info@actioninautism.org.za.
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