contemporary world cinema for salmon arm |
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The Horse Boy
Country: USA
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In 2004 Rupert Issacson and his wife Kristin found out their little boy, Rowan, had autism. Traditional therapies weren't helping the child who fell further into fits of tantrums and incontinence. Raising Rowan they best they could, Rupert and Kristin faced a bleak future with a boy unable to break free from his mental containment. And then Rowan met Betsy, a neighbourhood horse, and he opened up in ways his parents never thought possible. Directed by Michel Orion Scott, The Horse Boy is a potent documentary studying Rowan as he finds comfort in the presence of horses, encouraging Rupert to consider a rather bold alternative to the daily grind of pills and meltdowns. Flying the family over to Mongolia, Rupert and Kristin would introduce Rowan to the world of shamanistic healing, crossing the countryside by horse and van to reach an area where herds of reindeer roam, and hoping to engage the little boy's obsession with animals. The documentary depicts nearly every single step of the odyssey, observing the family struggle with Rowan's mental and physical fatigue. There are setbacks and frustrations. Though they have the cameras right up in their faces, Rupert and Kristin show outstanding patience throughout the film, though their weariness is palpable. The vistas are gorgeous and The Horse Boy captures Rowan as he opens up to the world while riding along. While still prone to panic, Rowan shows astounding development out in the middle of Mongolia, embracing the experience the best he can. “The film includes expert testimony from autism experts, including the famous Temple Grandin, an autistic professor at Colorado State U.” rogerebert.com |
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