Abilities Arts Fest ends with French Film

ABILITIES ARTS FESTIVAL
A Celebration of Disability Arts and Culture

The festival finally comes to a close on October the 4th.

On that day, the final theme is The Right to Choose Your Own Path.
One of the films screened that evening is Sandrine Bonnaire’s excellent
film documenting 25 years of the life of her autistic younger sister, Sabine.
Entitled ELLE S’APPELLE SABINE (Her Name is Sabine), this one is
not to be missed!

(See capsule review below
at
The Al Green Theatre
750 Spadina Avenue, Toronto

The Abilities Arts Festival presents this year an impressive line-up of award winning films (most of them little seen), special guests and film forums taking place in these coming few weeks.
For more details on the festival, ticket pricing, venues and festival times, check the web-site at:

http://www.abilitiesartsfestival.org

ELLE S’APPELLE SABINE (France 2007) ***
Directed by Sandrine Bonnaire

Almost everyone has heard of French actress Sandrine Bonnaire.  Dramatic actress of international successes as POLICE, SOUS LE SOLEIL DE SATAN, MONSIEUR HIRE, the recent CONFIDENCES TROP INTIMES and the upcoming psychological thriller L’EMPREINTE DE L’ANGE (screened at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival and my recommendation) Sandrine Bonnaire is using her fame to further a worthwhile course – to bring the world to a greater awareness to autism.

Her name is Sabrine – Sandrine’s autistic one year younger sister.  Sabine has been institutionalized for 5 years before the family finally understood her autism.  During her stay, Sabine has ballooned 30 kg and has had her mental facilities deeply degenerated.

Sandrine, is the name her affectionate autistic uses to call her.  Throughout the film, it is constantly apparent that Sabine loves Sandrine dearly.  Sandrine… Sandrine… the name is always heard on the soundtrack.  Sabine is always asking if her sister will be there when she awakes, or whether she will still be around the next day or the day after.  It is easy to understand the reason – once viewing Bonnaire’s film.  Autism, as explained by an expert is the disability to function properly – one sign being not being able to make a point known to the normal world. 

At the film’s finale, Bonnaire utilizes her fame and with the help of a famous doctor, obtained funds to open another autistic home.  Sabine now stays there.  It is her hope that Sabine will achieve once again, some form of normalcy.  Right at present, she is down to half her medication and learning to love life again.  At one point in the film, Sandrine tells Sabine, Isn’t life wonderful?  For us for fortunate ones, ELLE S’APPELLE SABINE sure drums the point home.