The world is full of all sorts of people who have had a variety of experiences. Every conversation with an individual grants us a new perspective on the world at large and opens our minds to new ways of thinking. What then about the voices we fail to hear?
The Reason I Jump, directed by Jerry Rothwell, is a documentary about autism. Inspired by the eponymous book by Naoki Higashida and using segments from the book to narrate the journey, the film follows five autistic people from around the world, most of whom are non-verbal. It gives us a glimpse into their experience, similar to our own and yet entirely unique.
From its opening until its closing sequence the audience is drawn into a realm of hypersensitivity meant to mimic the experience of the protagonists. This hyperreal space is largely created by sound designer Nick Ryan and cinematographer Ruben Woodin Dechamps. Everyday sounds of waves, clanging metals and the hum of electricity vibrate in our ears in a cacophony of noise that seems foreign in its intense detail. Visuals focus closely on movement, colour and light, paying special attention to details usually unnoticed, like the flickering of a fan or the playfulness of shadows and illuminations.
We see how significant these sensory experiences are for the film’s protagonists. The world can turn suddenly chaotic for them, as a jumble of sounds and images intrudes on their peace in a confusing mélange. Naoki’s descriptions of vivid colours and shapes which interrupt concentration meld with visuals of physical reactions and bursts of happiness and anger, giving a sense of constant juggling of emotion and comprehension.
Lack of expression can mean lack of understanding. Frustration comes from the inability to convey emotions and to negotiate. While most people rely on speech, those without a voice are seen as having nothing to say, but as this film shows, this could not be further from the truth. Expression comes in many forms and when given the opportunity to explore other methods, those with non-verbal autism can express their thoughts and emotions in ways that, historically, we have believed to be beyond their reach. Whether through art or through spelling words on a keyboard, their ability to articulate themselves in alternative ways shows the wealth of experience and understanding which slips by unnoticed by most.
The Reason I Jump draws attention to the fact that our conversation about autism has often left out the most important voice, that of the person experiencing it. It shows us that in order to hear, we have to learn new ways of listening. Rothwell’s film has both an intimacy and an immensity as it deals with each protagonist individually while bringing them together to show the bigger picture. It is one that bursts with curiosity, with empathy and with an eagerness to explore new perspectives. As Naoki writes, “Spare a little time for what I have to say and have a nice trip through our world.”
Reviewed by Colum Culleton