It is almost 18 months to the day since the documentary As One had its premiere at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in 2014.
The film, backed by Abu Dhabi’s Sanad fund and produced by Image Nation, follows 10 autistic children in the UAE as they take part in a music and theatre therapy programme
The 18-month anniversary neatly coincides with World Autism Day on Saturday. To mark the occasion, the film is receiving special invite-only screenings – at Vox Cinemas in Nation Towers in Abu Dhabi, and Mall of the Emirates in Dubai – for the families of the children and members of community affected by autism. From Sunday, there will be also public screenings of the film (see below for more details).
We caught up with the film’s co-director, Hana Makki, and the parents of some of the children featured in the film to find out what has been happening in the months since the movie’s triumphant Abu Dhabi debut.
Hana Makki, co-director
“We’ve had a few private screenings of the movie since the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, and were lucky to win the support of NYU Abu Dhabi and had a private screening there. We won a slot at Malmo Arab Film Festival, which I attended and it was great – really well received. The movie is also releasing online soon, internationally and in MENA, and is scheduled for a prime time slot on Abu Dhabi TV [full details below].
“The kids are coming back for the screening this weekend and they’re really excited. We’ve got a lot of things being planned in the US this month for Autism Awareness Day, too, which are being confirmed.
“Personally, I’ve remained very much involved in the autism community here in the UAE, simply by keeping in touch with the parents, supporting the Autism Support Network and promoting their work.
“I also try to keep up with the work of the New England Centre – their therapist, Sharifa, was our specialist on the film and we’re still in touch.
“I was involved with autism before we made the film, too, so it’s a community who knows me and I know them very well.”
Suha Abu Laila, mother of Fathi and Omar. Lives in Abu Dhabi.
“Fathi and Omar are both doing very well and are both very happy. The biggest benefit for my kids was that they learnt how to work as a team and how to communicate with other people – something they both struggled with early on – and it was incredible to see the improvements in their behaviour.
“Since filming ended, they have made real friends – especially Fathi – some thing they found extremely difficult before. Fathi is still talking about his part in the film, and the great memories he had working with the entire team, especially Ali Al Sayed.
“Omar still loves to watch the movie trailer. He has seen it maybe 100 times and he still laughs at it.
“Fathi is doing amazing in school and he is now in grade 10 – I can’t believe it. He is still reaching for his dream to become a wrestler and has been taking Jiu Jitsu classes with his friends. Omar is also doing really well in the Autism centre but he’s still non-verbal.”
Usha Shah, mother of Nikhil. Lives in Dubai
“The process has definitely helped Nikhil work stronger as part of a team. His interaction skills are much stronger.
“He is now enrolled in mainstream schooling with a supporting shadow teacher. He is now trying to talk, his words are starting to take shape and his receptive language is really improving.
“Since filming ended, my husband and I set up the Autism Rocks charity. It has hosted many shows in Dubai and London to raise awareness and help fund ART autism research trust in Cambridgeshire
“We are also in the process of setting up a centre to help other children with autism.”
Kera Thompson, mother of Asher. The family lived in Abu Dhabi but moved back to the United States shortly after the film was made.
“Asher is doing great and loving life in the US. After four years of hard work, I’m so proud and happy to say that he has made a full recovery, is integrated fully into a mainstream school without the help of therapists, and is 100 per cent thriving.
“Most people have no idea that we ever dealt with Autism. We are so grateful for countless teachers, therapists, friends and, especially, the As One Autism team based in Abu Dhabi, who were all instrumental in allowing Asher’s light to shine.
“His favourite things are drawing, playing Xbox with his big brother and reading. His recovery really is a miracle and such a story of hope. He is such a fun little boy and so sweet and thoughtful.”
Banke Ayanleke, mother of Gabrielle, the only girl featured in the film. Lives in Abu Dhabi.
“Gabrielle enjoyed the togetherness [during filming]. It exposed her to group work and boosted her confidence. She is now very comfortable being at centre stage. She enjoys the appreciation shown when she gets up and she can even give little presentations at school.
“Gabrielle has continued in her mainstream school, making excellent academic progress with improved independence from her shadow teacher. Her reading and writing skills have improved a great deal and this has helped her speech.
“She now has improved awareness of others and better engages better with her peers and siblings – we have a new baby in the family.
“Her diet has become very varied and sensory issues such as the light sensitivity seen in the movie are no longer exhibited. However, she still gets excited with some visuals on TV or iPad, but will often relax herself with self-calming words and techniques. We are very proud of her.”