SÓLSKINSDRENGURINN
Category: Documentary
Director: Fridrik Thór Fridriksson
Producer: Kristín Ólafsdóttir
Country: Iceland
Year: 2009
Length: 103'
Production Status: completed
Website
SUNSHINE BOY
Imagine not being able to engage with the world around you. Imagine not being able to express your feelings, dreams and aspirations to anyone, even if those feelings, dreams and aspirations are in no way less or inferior to those of other people. Imagine having to depend upon the assistance of others to complete even the simplest of tasks, like dressing or feeding yourself. Imagine living with all of these limitations despite being of sound mind; aware of everything that is going on around you but incapable of letting anyone know.
The Sunshine Boy, a documentary by Friðrik Þór Friðriksson, tells the story of Margrét, a mother who has done everything in her power to help her son. Keli is eleven years old and is severely autistic - his parents do not even know if he understands Icelandic, let alone other languages. Although Margrét holds no unrealistic aspirations on behalf of her son Keli, she has a quenchless thirst for knowledge about the mysterious and complex condition that autism undeniably is. During her quest for information Margrét meets other families and hears their unique stories about how they too have been touched by autism. On a course set to include the United States and Europe, she meets with scientists in the field of autism and autism therapies and the parents of autistic children who share her passion; to break down the wall between the children and the surrounding world. This journey becomes lengthier and more dramatic than she ever could have envisioned at the start. During the trip, she catches a glimpse of hope that her son can be helped to a larger degree than previously assumed.
Perhaps it is possible to break down the wall of autism and get to know the individual behind it?
