Opening 22 Jun 2017
Directed by:
Roger Ross Williams
Writing credits:
Ron Suskind
Principal actors:
Jonathan Freeman, Gilbert Gottfried, Alan Rosenblatt, Owen Suskind, Ron Suskind
Owen Suskind was diagnosed with autism at the age of three and his parents and doctors feared that he would be forever set apart from the world. After some time of not making much progress, his parents found out that Owen was able to communicate by mimicking the words of various Disney characters from animated films. From there they were able to help him build his communication to the point where he was able to finish high school and move out of the house into an assisted living facility. This moving documentary follows Owen as he finishes up school and moves on to become an independent adult, something which his parents had worried he would never be able to accomplish until Disney helped them find a way. Life, Animated is an engrossing look at autism and the power of art to help those who struggle to connect with the world. It played at the 2016 Filmfest Hamburg. (Rose Finlay)
