David Mitchell, Jim Fujiwara, Jordan O'Donegan Rated 12A Run time 82 mins
Based on the bestselling book by 13 year old Naoki Higashida, The Reason I Jump is a truly immersive cinematic exploration of non-speaking autistic people from around the world. The film blends intimate portraits of five remarkable young people; and opens a window into an intense and overwhelming but often joyful sensory universe. Acutely observed moments in the lives of each of the characters are connected by passages from Naoki’s writing in which a young Japanese boy journeys through an epic landscape, gradually discovering what his autism means to him, how his perception of the world differs, and why he acts in the way he does: the reason he jumps.
The film distils these elements into a sensually rich tapestry that leads us to Naoki’s core message: not being able to speak does not mean there is nothing to say.
97% – Rotten Tomatoes 7.4/10 – IMDB
“It’s easy enough to see how “The Reason I Jump” nabbed an audience award at Sundance in January — it’s as emotionally piercing as it is beautiful to behold”
“Nimbly switching between different lenses and sonic streams, Rothwell invites viewers inside the psychological isolation and overwhelming sensory awareness felt by people at various points on the spectrum, as well as cathartic breakthroughs in expression and connection with others.”
