Autism is a World + Autism Every Day
Wednesday, March 21 – 7:30pm
Autism is a World
USA 2005. DIRECTOR: GERALDINE WURZBURG
It is estimated that one in 166 Canadian children born today will be diagnosed with autism, a complex neurological disorder which causes developmental disability. This stunning figure signals a national epidemic, but most people know little about the condition. A 2005 Oscar nominee for Best Documentary Short, Autism is a World tells the story of Sue Rubin, a young woman with autism. Now a history major at college, Sue was diagnosed at age 4 with serve autism and until age 13 was believed to be retarded; repeated tests put her IQ at 29. Through the efforts of her psychologist, who introduced her to “facilitated communications” using a keyboard, and the tireless devotion of her mother, this young girl, unable to speak and given to strange, self-destructive behaviour, has emerged into the world an aware, intelligent young woman with an IQ tested at 133. Using Sue’s own words, Autism is a World takes the audience on an extraordinary journey, offering a rare look at autism from the inside out. Colour, Beta SP video. 40 mins.
preceded by
Autism Every Day
USA 2006. DIRECTOR: LAUREN THIERRY
Autism Every Day offers an honest, unvarnished portrayal of the challenges faced by several families as they confront, with uncompromising hope and unconditional love, the difficulties of raising an autistic child. Director Lauren Thierry is herself the mother of an autistic son. Colour, Beta SP video. 15 mins.
(Note: This short film has since been developed into a 45-minute version that was premiered, to a series of sold-out screenings, at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. We are endeavouring to obtain this longer version for our screening, but at press time were unable to confirm this. Please check the website for updates.)
Post-screening discussion with Dr. Vikram Dua, Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC, and Co-Director, Provincial Autism Resource Center and BC Autism Assessment Network. Dr. Dua served as the primary researcher and writer for the Ministry of Health policy paper “Standards and Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Assessment of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.”
Co-sponsored by the Autism Society of British Columbia.
Moderated by Dr. Harry Karlinsky, Director of Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.
For more information on the film, see the Mar – Apr Pacific Cinémathèque Program Guide, or visit:
http://www.cinematheque.bc.ca/mar_apr_07/fom_mar_apr07.htm