Movies

Based on the book by Naoki Higashida, this immersive film explores the experiences of non-speaking autistic people around the world.

''The Reason I Jump'' is an in-depth cinematic exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of non-verbal people with autism around the world. The film combines Higashida's ground-breaking insights into autism, made when he was just thirteen years old, with intimate portraits of five remarkable young people. The audience opens the door to that powerful all-encompassing, but often joyful, sensory experience. Moments from the lives of each of the characters are connected by the journey of a Japanese boy through epic landscapes. Narrated excerpts from Naoki's notes reveal what his autism means to him and to others, how his view of the world differs, why he behaves the way he does: why he jumps. The film turns these elements into a sensory-rich tapestry that leads us to Naoki's core message: that he doesn't speak doesn't mean he has nothing to say.