DisArt Festival may have closed its inaugural 2015 event, which consisted of multiple venues showcasing world renowned artists all over downtown, but since then the popular new festival has been hosting a series of one-off events aimed at advancing its mission “to change perceptions about disability, one work of art at a time.”
On Wednesday night is a chance to attend a special DisArt Grand Rapids exclusive film premier event as DisArt welcomes “Life, Animated” — a real life story about a boy with autism and the fascinating journey he takes his family and others in his attempt to find a suitable platform to communicate with them.
“Life, Animated” is the inspiring story of young Owen Suskind, a person unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a new and right-under-their-nose vehicle for communication.
The family finds that through immersing themselves in the wonderful world of classic Disney animated films, a new methodology for communication emerges.
Leaping way beyond the typical emotional coming-of-age story, “Life, Animated” follows Owen from childhood to graduation, where we witness the challenges he takes into adulthood and with a fresh perspective on what this means for his new independence.
Critics and audiences almost all agree that this is one of the highest rated films of the summer that is sure to inspire as well as break your heart. It is rare that we get to premier such works of art where the power to change society’s vision on disability’s abilities is so perfectly presented.
Admission: $6
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