Relaxed screenings

Relaxed screening: Stand Clear of the Closing Doors

This moving film follows an autistic teen who loses himself in New York’s sprawling subway system.

Tuesday 24 Aug 18:00 NFT3

Tickets will be available to book either online, by calling (020 7928 3232) or by emailing the Box Office: box.office@bfi.org.uk

More information on relaxed screenings

USA 2013
Dir Sam Fleischner
With Andrea Suarez Paz, Jesus Sanchez-Velez, Azul Zorrilla
102min
Digital
Some English subtitles

Showing the city through a documentary-like lens, the film follows Ricky, an autistic teen who loses himself in New York’s sprawling subway system. Based on true events, the film’s authenticity is leant further weight with the casting of Jesus Sanchez-Velez, an actor with Asperger syndrome who powerfully conveys Ricky’s frustrations at being unable to communicate with the outside world.

+ Overload
UK 2020, Dir Joe Blandamer, 5min, Digital
We are very pleased to announce the addition of this stop motion animation to the programme. Winning the Best Animation at the Into Film Awards 2020 it depicts what it feels like to have autism and ride on a busy train.

This screening is presented in collaboration with Citizen Autistic: The London Autism Film Club, a welcoming neuro-diverse space bringing together like-minded individuals through a shared love of cinema.

Relaxed screenings are presented each month for those in the neuro-diverse community and their assistants and carers. More detailed information can be found at bfi.org.uk/relaxed.

Tickets £3.

This is the second of three relaxed screenings presented in response to The Reason I Jump, programmed by independent curator, Benjamin Brown.

“Really, our vision of the world can be incredible, just incredible …”
- Naoki Higashida, The Reason I Jump

Whether neuro-diverse or neurotypical, as human beings we are all born with our own unique ways of perceiving the world. However, for many on the autism spectrum, the problem comes when trying to impress that unique perspective onto others through words and gestures. Like a detuned radio, the signal is blocked, coming through only as hissing static.

Channelling several themes explored so effectively by The Reason I Jump, the season expresses the key role of the senses in our everyday lives and the transcendent power of nature to provide consolation to the inconsolable. It also conveys the vital importance of giving autistic people a say in how we are treated, and to extend us our rightful seat at society’s table.

As Naoki so poetically puts it, “if, by our being here, we could help the people of the world remember what truly matters for the earth, that would give us a quiet pleasure”.

BFI Southbank has been awarded the National Autistic Society's Autism Friendly Award.