FILM:
THE REASON I JUMP
Jerry Rothwell | 82 min. | English | US, UK | 2020 | Documentary
The Reason I Jump is an immersive cinematic exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people from around the world. Based on the best-selling book by Naoki Higashida, the film blends Higashida’s revelatory insights into autism, written when he was just 13, with intimate portraits of five remarkable young people. It opens a window for audiences into an intense and overwhelming, but often joyful, sensory universe. The film distils elements from each character into a sensually rich tapestry that leads us to Naokis core message: not being able to speak does not mean there is nothing to say.
Post Film Discussion
Q&A with Ben McGann and Emma Budway, two of the people featured in the film.

ART:
Opening Night Art Sale
Twenty-six-year-old Amrit Khurana is an artist from Noida, India and one of the non-verbal adults highlighted in The Reason I Jump.  Her artwork speaks to her perspective of everyday people doing everyday activities. Her sense of composition and use of a distinct color palette touches the soul and transcends what we think we see into a world of sublime fantasy. Original signed, matted art will be for sale on opening night.

Exhibition
Through March 3, 2023 at the Pozez JCC Bodzin Art Gallery
Artism® – Seeing the World Through the Prismatic Lens of Autism by artist, Lee Jaworek
Impressionist and abstract acrylic paintings as well as giclee on canvas and paper.