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“Ben’s Animals,” a captivating documentary intertwining themes of autism, art, and advocacy, is set to debut in the United States in New York City, aligning with International Autism Month.
This touching film, crafted by acclaimed director Evan Beloff, will have its launch at the Culture Lab LIC in Queens on Saturday, April 4.
Co-written with his frequent collaborator Noah Leon, the documentary chronicles the journey of 23-year-old Canadian autistic artist and environmentalist Ben Lachapelle, showcasing his profound relationship with animals as a powerful medium for change.
The narrative of “Ben’s Animals” delves into the role of creativity, identity, and art as bridges connecting isolation to community involvement.
Moreover, the film sheds light on the myriad challenges families encounter while navigating the complexities of neurodivergence within a support system that is often lacking and disjointed.
“This isn’t just a documentary about autism,” Beloff said of the visually rich documentary.
“It’s about how one young man sees the world,” he added, “and how much we all stand to gain by listening.”
“Ben’s Animals” is told through a mix of hand-drawn animation, Lachapelle’s childhood archives, personal interviews and storytelling in the unique cinéma vérité documentary style.
An official press release for the film described it as a “poetic, moving and joyful portrait of a remarkable young man.”
The Culture Lab LIC doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the 50-minute film begins at 3:00 p.m.
Following the first-ever US screening of “Ben’s Animals,” Lachapelle will join Beloff and Leon onstage for a 30-minute Q&A session.
A pop-up exhibition and reception following the Q&A session will also reportedly include live drawing demos by Lachapelle.