Projects in genres: Disabilities

Synopsis

A day in the lives of a 12-year-old kid with special needs and his 14 year-old-sister, when she chooses to be the motherly figure in her brother's life, unlike all the days up until that moment, when she thought it was forced on her.

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A short observational documentary following the unique and beautiful relationship between a blind woman, Megan, and her guide dog, Layla. The film follows them through a day in their life.

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A disabled man finds love and hope in his neighbour through the confinement of his bedroom window.

Synopsis

Takako Shirawa has spent the last 36 years creating an extraordinary day centre for autistic people in Abeno, Osaka. Nestling on a quiet neighbourhood corner, Atelier Corners began life as a family run sanctuary for local autistic children and has developed into a pioneering site of artistic experiment with its members becoming renowned artists, exhibited in Japan and worldwide. Award winning artist and filmmaker Richard Butchins (himself disabled) visited the centre with disabled dancer Kazuyo Morita and spent two years documenting and creating an award winning video installation about the artists and their home.
This film shows the artists, the art and the woman that made it possible. It’s a testament to integration and the remarkable minds of the people that inhabit the building that is Atelier Corners. The film is part documentary and part artists’ moving image, a reflective and thoughtful account exploring the experience of disability in Japan, what is positive in the act of creation and the struggle against social exclusion, and how to foster and nurture the spirit of human life in a country that has traditionally excluded and hidden its disabled population from view.

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Bella, a struggling disabled actor, takes on her most challenging role teaching an up and coming Hollywood A-lister how to "act disabled". Struggling with the line between reality and fantasy she begins to question the world around her.

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When Patrick is called to care for his ex wife, whose Pick’s disease has advanced beyond the care available to her, the last thing he expects is what he finds; and what they will share.

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A note on over-development, Simon Liu’s vision of Hong Kong carries both the marvels of modern life and its short circuits. A chaos broken only by the soft touches of natural light and flowing water captured on 16mm, one feels the tension of a city on the brink of combustion.
Official Selection International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2020 - Bright Future - International premiere

Synopsis

An intergenerational film that traverses the relationship between my grandmother (Raji) and my mother (Aruna), during challenging times. As Raji struggles to fight her hallucinatory demons, Aruna attempts to embrace her world.

Synopsis

Eco-thriller - Autistic student Siobhán endures a research week on a ragged fishing trawler, miserably out of place in the close-knit crew. But in the deep Atlantic, an unfathomable life-form ensnares the boat. At first, the crew see the rare deep-sea animal as a chance to make a killing. But as members of the crew succumb to a mysterious infection, Siobhán must persuade them that to profit here is to risk their lives - and the lives of all humans.
Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2019 - Discovery - World premiere
Official Selection Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2019 - European premiere

Synopsis

GO MAKE MEMORIES is a short film which hopes to raise awareness of the ultra-rare and devastating group of genetic conditions, Niemann-Pick Disease (NPD).

The experiences of the individuals and families affected by NPD takes centre stage in this production, which uses a mixture of live action and animation to explore the impact this rare condition has on those affected by it. The film follows the deterioration of the child and the subsequent emotional turmoil that comes hand in hand with such a diagnosis...especially when this is followed up with the suggestion by the family's doctor to simply, "Go Make Memories"...

Synopsis

When a worker falls to his death at a care home, it appears to be a terrible accident. But when a detective questions a young man with Down's syndrome spotted at the scene, they uncover a crime more shocking than anyone imagined.

Synopsis

Based on a true story, a seven year old boy struggles to make sense of words on the page. But when Mike is diagnosed with dyslexia and the teachers continue to fail him, his mother takes matters into her own hands to help her son fulfil his true potential.