Abilities Arts Festival - 2008 Film Forums

Entertaining, Engaging, Provocative

The Abilities Arts FestivAl Film Forums will be three compelling and entertaining evenings of film and discussion celebrating disability and diversity that are sure to please even the most discerning of film enthusiasts.

Reaching out to both new and traditional audiences, each forum combines the screening of a treasure trove of international, award-winning films celebrating disability and diversity, with lively, thought-provoking and at times provocative Question and Answer sessions with filmmakers, plus a post-show reception where filmmakers and audiences can meet, mingle and chat.

SEPTEMBER 20 - Alternative Discourse: Taboos, Dance and Body Diversity

Each of this spectacular evening’s three films tells an important and unique story while challenging traditional notions of dance and the concepts of beauty, movements and body image.

Included in this not-to-be-missed event is Phoenix Dance, Karina Epperlein’s Oscar-nominated film about dancer Homer Avila’s journey from loss to faith, trust and transcendent beauty.

The Cost of Living is Lloyd Newson’s film adaptation of the DV8 physical theatre company’s dazzling, hard-hitting and rave-reviewed show about perfection and pretense, about how society measures individuals and how we, in turn, value ourselves.

Invitation to the Dance by Gerhard Schick presents the artistic genesis of the dance work “Counter Circles” in Nairobi. It also provides a moving example of how art can create bridges between people, between continents, races and cultures.

Filmmakers Karina Epperlein and Gerhard Schick will be in attendance.

SEPTEMBER 27 - Journeys to Self-Definition: Individual Perspectives

One evening...two outstanding films...three different journeys. This evening’s remarkable films focus on individual journeys and the forces of change that affect self-identity and society’s views of who we are and where we fit.

Hear and Now, an award-winning film from Irene Taylor Brodsky, is a deeply personal memoir about her deaf parents’ complex decision to undergo cochlear implant surgery, a risky and controversial medical procedure – one that can actually restore a sense. This is a magical and moving love story of two people who embark on an extraordinary journey from silence to sound.

As Slow as Possible by Scott Smith is a story about Ryan Knighton and about our relationship to change as seen through the eyes of a man going blind.

Filmmaker Irene Taylor Brodsky, and Paul and Sally Taylor, the stars of Hear and Now, will be in attendance.

OCTOBER 4 - The Right to Choose Your Own Life

This forum presents distinctive and com- pelling stories about life choices and broad-based human rights issues facing people with disabilities.

Duco Tellegen’s Living Rights – Yoshi tells the story of a 16-year-old who has Asperger’s Syndrome – a form of autism. Yoshi dreams of attending a regular Japanese high school. With humour, wit and creativity, Yoshi makes a strong case for all of us to believe he should.

Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy by Alice Elliott is a rare look at a crisis in an unusual relationship between two people with disabilities. The story moves beyond disability and activism to acceptance of a profound, symbiotic friendship.

Her Name Is Sabine is a touching memoir by Sandrine Bonnaire, chronicling the life of her sister, who has autism. It is a lyrical tale that intricately weaves the frustrations of institutionalization and the grace of unbridled devotion; a poetic comment on the boundless quality of human love.

Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Alice Elliott will be attending. Don’t miss out! JOIN US!