TORONTO, October 23, 2014 – Two men with autism who shed light on the disorder to change attitudes about disability and intelligence during a world tour, and York University Visiting Professor Gerardine Wurzburg who captured their global quest in a documentary film, will join a free screening of the film followed by an audience discussion at York U’s Price Family Cinema on October 24.
The screening of Wretches & Jabberers, which has received critical acclaim as an eye-opener and myth buster about autism, is open to the general public. Professor Zulfikar Hirji, Graduate Program Director in the Department of Anthropology will moderate the discussion with Wurzburg, the film’s Academy Award winning director and producer.
In the film, Tresher and Bissonnette travel to Finland, Japan and Sri Lanka, determined to put a new face on autism. At each stop, they dissect public attitudes about autism and issue a hopeful challenge to reconsider competency and the future. Along the way, the two also inspire other young men and women with autism with a poignant narrative of personal struggle that always rings with intelligence, humour, hope and courage.
“We are thrilled to have the stars of the film and disability rights advocates Larry Bissonnette and Tracy Thresher join us along with Wurzburg to offer insight into the film and the global perception on autism as they experienced during their trip,” says Professor Albert Schrauwers, Chair of the Anthropology department, which hosts the event.
A similar screening with discussion is organized at downtown Bloor Hot Docs Cinema on October. 25.
WHAT: Free screening of Wretches & Jabberers, a poignant documentary film about two men with autism who embark on a global quest to change attitudes about disability and intelligence.
WHERE: Price Family Theatre, Accolade East, York University, Keele Campus, (building number 92 on map)
WHEN: Friday, October 24, 2014, 4:30pm
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Media Contact: Gloria Suhasini, York University Media Relations, 416 736 2100 ext. 22094, suhasini@yorku.ca
