Published on 12, July, 2020
I watched Mary & Max the claymation animation for maybe the 17th time yesterday.
In a random Google search this morning I came across an 'Autism Anthem' - a YouTube compilation of film clips from:
Skins, The Good Doctor, Power Rangers, The Accountant, Scorpion, Parent Hood, Jane Wants A Boy Friend, The Story of Luke, Jack of the Red Hearts, Atypical, The 4400, Girl Meets World
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PtLcTGOrrKk
What do you think of attempts to portray autism in these, or any other, films or TV programmes?
Are there any accurate, positive, helpful representations of autistic people?
I'd love to know your thoughts!
Saga Norén (Länskrim Malmö) from The Bridge.
What aboyt Gabriel's female sidekick in BBC's Informer? I wonder because she is very matter of fact, always says the truth, keeps a straight face, is quite literal in her interpretations and does exactly what is asked of her, has an attention to detail the others dont seem to have and seemed to memorise the Koran in Arabic (as i assume a non-muslim...so maybe special intetest or skill?) No spoilers please!
My local cinema are showing Leave No Trace next week; looking forward to seeing it. Also glad to find some fellow film fans, it's one of my interests :-)
Thanks so much for this recommendation - sounds excellent!
Watch Crime Scene Investigation. The first, original one before it became famous and created other versions of CSI: New York, CSI: Los Angeles, etc. The first one has Gil Grissom, and the way the role of Gil Grissom is portrayed I do not know if the plan was to script and portray this character as a high functioning autistic. It has to be though. By the way, CSI came out in October 2000.
I love the character Gil Grissom even more now than ever before because the fictional character and portrayal is that of an autistic. I identify with him a lot, especially because he is thrust into a role being the boss of a CSI department and they do create stories where his social and ineptitude when working with the people he manages.
Gil Grissom, early 2000, in CSI is a great example of a high functioning autistic to me.
I'm coming to the conclusion that Autistic Burnout is a mechanism designed to keep us safe. Different parts of our system need to power down for a while. It's impossible to recover properly unless we're in a safe place.
Yes, you're right. Attack dog helicopters everywhere....
Exactly - for helicopter read attack dog?
Which is how it is for so many of us.
The true story, which this film (and Peter Rock's novel) are based on, is desperately poignant. Frank and Ruth wanted to live life their way, in peace, but other people wouldn't let them.
peterrockproject.com/.../oregonianarticles.pdf
I watched this tonight and it had me in tears. Although it's not specifically about autistic people being made to fit in to a neurotypical society, the references and resonances are there. Denying your true nature in order to be what you're expected to be. Destroying your soul so that others might accept you. Definitely worth the watch if you feel like you don't fit with the mainstream, but at the same time feel you have to in order to survive with it. Rousseau's 'Emile' came to mind, with the questions it raises about the fundamental relationship between the individual and society - between the notions of conformity and of freedom...
I'm watching 'Leave No Trace' tonight and it's making me cry. It's about giving up what you feel and believe in in order to fit in with society's expectations of you. It's about sacrificing the life you know and understand for the life you're expected to accept. It's about crushing your soul in order to be 'accepted'. Autism is never mentioned. It doesn't have to be. It's all there to be seen, heard and felt.
Thanks, Sunflower. Movies are one of my special interests. I watch maybe 400 a year, and many are repeats. Another recommendation, along the lines of those two but more comedic, is 'Captain Fantastic'. It's kind of in the same vein as 'Little Miss Sunshine', which you should certainly see if you haven't already.
Here's a clip from 'Captain Fantastic'...
'We don't make fun of people...'
And one from 'Little Miss Sunshine'...
Colour Blind
You are right Tom, the trailer really resonates. So glad you posted this link. I haven't seen 'Into the Wild' so I'll add that to my list as well. Your film knowledge is exceptional and much appreciated.
I've just discovered this by accident - somehow missed it - and it might be worth a look. Not necessarily about autism. But I think the themes will resonate. Check the trailer. Made me think a little of 'Into the Wild.'
Leave No Trace
used to love the 2 ronnies little story sketches my favourite was The Phantasm Rasberry Blower of Old London
Yes so much that was truly funny then, very little now!
dave allen was hilarious me and my dad used to love his comedy shows you don't seem to get them nowadays like two ronnies, hale and pace armstrong and miller terrestrial tv is crap now
Brilliant - didn't see this at the time - glad you posted it now!
I've never heard of that one. I'll have to check it out.