As One: The Autism Project, the documentary that was showcased at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival on Saturday, was met with gestures usually reserved for rock legends. But the standing ovation, cheering and dabbing tears of happiness weren’t aimed at a music idol or a Hollywood star, but for ten autistic children who starred in this stirring documentary.
“We wanted to make a change in people’s thoughts about how they perceived autism... I am so thrilled and overwhelmed by the reactions today,” said Hana Makki, the producer of As One: The Autism Project.
The documentary chronicles the lives of ten autistic children ranging from 4 to 17 years of age and their families who are gearing up for a musical comedy. They belong to different nationalities and are strangers on day one, but end up bonding for life.
“This is a very special movie about very special kids. They come together to put together a performance for National Day and it’s amazing to see how they grow as individuals. There’s joy and tension, because you don’t know till the very end if they will succeed,” said Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation, on the red carpet. It’s their first feature-length documentary.
The first public screening also saw a red carpet call of a different kind. The subjects of the documentary, boys in tuxedos and a girls in miniature prom dresses, walked the red carpet and showed us how they rolled.
The documentary stemmed from an initiative started by Shaikha Shamsa Bint Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to raise awareness of autism in the UAE.
Read the full interviews in tabloid!
