Before the film, series curator Benjamin Brown will introduce the programme and a short pre-recorded interview with co-director Bjarney Lúðvíksdóttir.
The Kristy Forbes poem ‘We Are Proud Autistic Women’ is vigorously performed in the film’s opening by Kristín Vilhjálmsdóttir, one especially proud autistic woman. An unashamed celebration of the joys of autism and womanhood, the documentary also touches on darker themes such as domestic abuse and exploitation – how these women are, as one beautifully puts it, both ‘stable and instable’.
This is the third of three relaxed screenings presented in response to The Reason I Jump, programmed by independent curator, Benjamin Brown.
‘Really, our vision of the world can be incredible, just incredible …’ - Naoki Higashida, The Reason I Jump
Whether neuro-diverse or neurotypical, as human beings we are all born with our own unique ways of perceiving the world. However, for many on the autism spectrum, the problem comes when trying to impress that unique perspective onto others through words and gestures. Like a detuned radio, the signal is blocked, coming through only as hissing static.
Channelling several themes explored so effectively by The Reason I Jump, the season expresses the key role of the senses in our everyday lives and the transcendent power of nature to provide consolation to the inconsolable. It also conveys the vital importance of giving autistic people a say in how we are treated, and to extend us our rightful seat at society’s table.
As Naoki so poetically puts it, ‘if, by our being here, we could help the people of the world remember what truly matters for the earth, that would give us a quiet pleasure.’
Benjamin Brown, Series Curator
SEEING THE UNSEEN (AÐ SJÁ HIÐ ÓSÝNILEGA)
Directors: Bjarney Lúðvíksdóttir, Kristján Kristjánsson
In co-operation with: Icelandic Autism Society
Iceland 2019
82 mins
This screening is presented in collaboration with Citizen Autistic: The London Autism Film Club, a welcoming neuro-diverse space bringing together like-minded individuals through a shared love of cinema.
Find out more at bfi.org.uk/relaxed
BFI Southbank has been awarded the National Autistic Society’s Autism Friendly Award.
We welcome your feedback on this screening. Relaxedscreeningsfeedback@bfi.org.uk
The film-makers would welcome your thoughts on the film on https://www.facebook.com/unseenautism
The next relaxed screenings are
SUMMER OF SOUL (… OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED)
Tue 26 Oct 18:00 NFT3
PETITE MAMAN
Tue 30 Nov 18:15 NFT3
Relaxed screenings
Relaxed screenings are presented each month for those in the neuro-diverse community, their assistants and carers.