Lights, Camera, Inclusion. Exploring Autism Through the Lense of Cinema.

,Its not every day as carers of a loved one who is neurodivergent, get a chance to sit down and explore movies, films or documentaries that could be relatable to us. But when we do we want to make sure its a good watch. Over the years I have come across many films, and documentaries that explore autism and its numerous challenges, but each time I watch one, I get this weird renewed sense of hope. Hope that one day my own daughter will find her way in the world, find her connection and her place, and I know she will. These films each quite different to each other all feature children or young people with Autism. These young people in these films are all non verbal but, in a way that is irrelevant to the story and outcomes. So on that note, here are three amazing films that are worth the watch. 
​

Lighthouse of the Orcas.

The Lighthouse of the Orca's is a Spanish film and is one of my favourites. It is about a mother and her young non verbal autistic son, who travel to Patagonia from Spain, in search of a local ranger who looks after an area of coast that is frequented by Orca's. Despite the local authorities frowning upon it, the ranger has developed quite a close relationship with the Orca's and photographs and studies them. The mother has seen his work and images of his interactions with the whales on TV and noticed it was one of the only things that draws in her son and provides him with a sense of calm. The movie definitely depicts some of the harsh realities of Autism but also the Incredible power of nature and the mind, and the relationship of them working together.  The movie is on Netflix, and is in Spanish but has English subtitles available. 

The Black Balloon 

A very well done Australian movie which I came across last year, available to watch on Netflix.  This movie is about a family who moves cities due to dad having to relocate with his job in the army, mum is expecting a baby, the older brother has severe non verbal autism and the younger one is often put under pressure to help out in caring for his older brother. Moving towns has meant new schools, new neighbourhood and a whole new raft of challenges for the family including judgement from neighbours, and adjusting to new schools and friends. It depicts the mental pressure and load of a sibling carer in a middle class family trying to find his own way as a teenager as well. 
I do warn some scenes in the movie and quite raw and confronting but also bring a sense of validation to what some families go through - daily. You will go through the nine yards of emotions in those 90 minutes. But don't worry the ending will leave you in a pool of happy tears and a new found sense of validation. 

​Horse Boy. 

The Horse Boy is a documentary film, available free on YouTube under the name Horse Boy 2009 - Channel Aleksandr Davidon. I recommend watching this in 1080p, able to be changed in the YouTube settings. 
A Documentary about a father and his Autistic non verbal son who embark on an incredible healing journey. This is one of these films where you will take from it what you wish to, but the journey along the way is an amazing watch. A young boy makes a close connection with a neighbours horse which in turn motivates his father who is determined for his son to make deeper connections with horses, does some intense research about horses and their ability to connect with people of all abilities. His hope is for his son to be able to regain emotional connection and speech skills lost when he was younger. They (Father, Mother and Son plus film crew) travel across the world to Mongolia where it is said horse back riding originated, and intend on travelling deep into the mountains some on horse back to meet with high ranking healing Sharmans and take part in a "healing" journey full of challenges, highs, lows and more highs. Milestones are made and meltdowns are had, but the watch is worth it and the outcome makes us think deeper about the connections we have between nature, animals and life experiences.