Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism, A
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?
Crew
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Directed by
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Director of Photography
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Editor
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Music Composer
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Producer
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Associate Producer
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Associate Production Manager
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Camera Assistant
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Color Grader
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Executive Producer
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Graphic Design by
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Line Producer
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Montage
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Narration
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Production Assistant
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Publicist
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Re-recording Mixer
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Research by
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Sound Design
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Sound Engineer
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Supervising Sound Editor
About the film
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TypeDocumentary
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National Premiere DateJanuary 9, 2009, Háskólabíó
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Length103 min.
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LanguageEnglish
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Original TitleSólskinsdrengurinn
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International TitleMother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism, A
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Production Year2009
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Production CountriesIceland
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Icelandic Film Centre GrantYes
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Production FormatHDV
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Aspect Ratio16:9
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ColorYes
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SoundDolby
Company Credits
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Production Company
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In Partnership With
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Supported by
Festivals
- 2012Europe on Screen, Jakarta, Indonesia
- 2012Two Riversides Film and Art Festival, Polland
- 2012Santé, International Health Film Festival, France
- 2011ImagéSanté International Health Film Festival
- 2011Imagésanté, International Health Film Festival
- 2011Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, Retro
- 2010Artfilmfest International Film Festival
- 2010Edduverðlaunin / Edda Awards - Award: Nominated for Documentary of the Year. Nominated for Sound Design of the Year (Kjartan Kjartansson, Steingrímur E. Guðmundsson, Björn Viktorsson). Nominated for Editor of the Year (Þuríður Einarsdóttir).
- 2010Vancouver International Film Festival
- 2010Summer Film School
- 2010Gimli Film Festival
- 2010Festroia International Film Festival
- 2010Off Plus Camera
- 2010International Film Festival Breda
- 2010Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival
- 2010Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, Icelandic and Norwegian Day
- 2010Göteborg International Film Festival
- 2009Toronto International Film Festival - Award: Kanada
- 2009Nordisk Panorama
- 2009Pusan International Film Festival - Award: S-Kórea
