Sanctuary Dream

From beginning to end, Sanctuary Dream is a very personal story about the all-too-real hardships and struggles that autistic individuals and their families have. The 'personal' aspect of this statement truly comes across in the film's many tight, close up shots of the main character and his interactions with family and friends. The first scene is a great example of this, immediately capturing the viewer's attention. The following sequences depict how quickly misunderstanding can lead to tension and aggressive behavior, especially in the household. Some of the repetitive actions and diction used by the main character immerse the viewer by giving them a real idea of what it's like to have autism and how differently an autistic individual can perceive a situation.

Aesthetically, the film looks great. Characters and locations remain in focus and the cinematography is impressive throughout. The editing and pace linger when needed, and pick up in times of action/emotional trauma. The choice of coloring in scenes add to their overall impact and memorableness. There are various moments in the film where colors seem to help express how the main character is thinking/feeling. Sanctuary Dream also contains a soundtrack which fits very well with what's being displayed onscreen. The songs are thought-out and genuine with a majority of the tones and lyrics reflecting what the main character is feeling/going through.

Overall, this is a worthwhile film to view and is undoubtedly relatable to those who live with or know someone with autism. Director Grant Carsten did an amazing job which is exemplified in the film's festival entries and awards.

Though there are definitely films which depict Autism, almost all of them show viewpoints from the other side. 'Rain Man' and 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape?', though powerful movies, depict Autism through what Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp see in Dustin Hoffman and Leo; 'The Accountant', though great, shows mostly the aftermath of an assassin who learned to cope with and hide his disabilities; 'Life Animated', once again great, is another autistic documentary which shows an overdose of the parents, and Disney Movies making sense to Autists is not new.

Forrest Gump (it's implied) and Temple Grandin are exceptions, though it is clear the viewpoint speaks as a consultant rather than the feeling. This is where my film differs.

I'm not saying my motion picture is better than any of these. Far from it. All these movies are rightfully considered masterpieces and it should stay that way. What I am saying is that no movie which has depicted Autism has simulated what being Autistic feels like. That is exactly where Sanctuary Dream differs.

Whether it's through the story or the technical stuff, Sanctuary Dream goes above and beyond in making sure its audience feels Autistic. The techniques include, but are not limited to -- cinematography and edit cuts which create a sense of constant attack; strong color tints and slightly cheesy acting to give an unreliable narrator quality; and Music which states what could not be verbally or physically told.

Looking at the final result, I am proud to say that Sanctuary Dream is my first feature.

EDIT: Due to only being allowed to review only once for the film, I put all 21 reviews from the website in trivia.

This film is unlike any other in the way it portrays the plights of stress, misunderstanding, and both internal/external stimulation from the perspective of a person with autism. Throughout the whole film, director Grant Carsten makes clear to the viewer the differences that exist in sensory perception, time, and space in the mind of Faisal(the main character). These differences in the way Faisal sees the world are masterfully manifested in the exacerbation of Faisal's struggles to find peace after a violent upbringing. The viewer accompanies Faisal on this journey, as if they were learning about the world through a completely new point of view.

From start to finish, this film is sure to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat, as most have never experienced anything resemblant to Faisal's jarring reality. The execution is near flawless, and the meticulousness of the production leaves no stone unturned. I would recommend this film to anyone and everyone