Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit

SU professor Biklen, working with Oscar-winning filmmaker, releases film on autism

Monday, November 29, 2004, By News Staff
Share

SU professor Biklen, working with Oscar-winning filmmaker, releases film on autismNovember 29, 2004Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu

Douglas Biklen, professor of cultural foundations of education, disability studies and teaching and leadership in Syracuse University’s School of Education, is a nationally-known researcher whose studies of autism have advanced the controversial technique known as facilitated communication. Now, he has taken this work to the silver screen as co-producer of “Autism Is A World,” a documentary produced and directed by Oscar-winner Gerardine Wurzburg.

“Autism Is A World” is an inside look at autism through the eyes of 26-year-old Sue Rubin-writer of the screenplay-who negotiates the challenges of autism and a false childhood diagnosis of retardation to become a highly intelligent college junior, a tireless disabled-rights activist and an articulate guide to a complex disorder. The film will be screened in several cities across the Northeast; the following screenings are open to the public:

  • Burlington, Vt.: Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 6 p.m.Merrill’s ROXY Cinemas, 222 College St.
  • Cambridge, Mass.: Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 8:30 p.m.Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St.
  • Syracuse, N.Y.: Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.Westcott Cinema, 524 Westcott St.(Free screening, sponsored by CNN and State of the Art Inc.)
  • Silver Spring, Md.: Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m.AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Rd. (RSVP by e-mail: office@stateart.com).

The film will also be screened in January in New York City as part of the filmmakers’ effort to secure an Academy Award nomination.

“Autism Is A World” is narrated by actress Julianna Margulies. It offers an insiders’ look at Rubin’s mind, her daily life and her lifelong struggles with autism-and how, with a means to communicate, she can tell her story. It shows her relaxing and unwinding, and approaching the challenges of living on her own.

“There’s no documentary that’s ever been made to my knowledge in which a person with autism whose speech is severely impaired writes the story, tells the story and gives this insider account of autism,” says Biklen. “Sue Rubin’s accomplishment is absolutely distinctive.” According to Biklen, the movie is a cinema verite account of a week of Rubin’s life. He says, “We followed her around for a week and said we want to look at typical experiences she has in a week – it ended up being more than that. So we get to see her narrating her own life, and she’s captivating.”

Biklen and Wurzburg have collaborated previously, with Biklen serving as Wurzburg’s education advisor on the Oscar-winning documentary “Educating Peter” and on “Regular Lives,” which won a blue ribbon from the American Film Institute.

Wurzburg credits Biklen’s leadership in making the idea for “Autism Is A World” into a reality. “Doug and I wanted to do this film 10 or 12 years ago,” she says. “Doug has been busy bringing the notion of facilitated communication to this country, and it represents a community trying to bring change.” With “Autism Is A World,” says Wurzburg, “we are manipulating reality, as an art form does, but we are doing so honestly in order to take the audience on a journey they otherwise wouldn’t get.”

After the theater screenings, “Autism Is A World” will air in early 2005 on “CNN Presents.” For more information on the screenings, contact State of the Art, Inc.’s Elissa Ewalt at eewalt@stateart.com or by calling (202) 537-0818.

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • Good Reads: School of Education’s Summer Literacy Clinic Takes an Inquiry-Based Approach
    Tuesday, October 3, 2023, By Martin Walls
  • Maxwell Professor Kristy Buzard Explores Gender Disparities in Economics
    Tuesday, October 3, 2023, By News Staff
  • ‘Norton Guide to Equity-Minded Teaching’ Co-Author to Give Public Talk and Faculty Workshop Oct. 11-12
    Tuesday, October 3, 2023, By News Staff
  • What’s Happening in CNY: Your Fun Fall Activity Guide
    Tuesday, October 3, 2023, By Christine Weber
  • Syracuse University Press Participating in Path to Open Program
    Friday, September 29, 2023, By Cristina Hatem

More In Uncategorized

Law professor available to discuss ruling that Trump committed fraud for business properties

Reporters looking for a legal expert to help explain the issues facing the Trump businesses after a judge ruled  that former President Donald Trump committed fraud by inflating the value of his assets, please see comments below from legal professor…

Syracuse Views Fall 2023

We want to know how you experience Syracuse University. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience using #SyracuseU on social media, fill out a submission…

Phillips Appointed Interim Director at Lender Center for Social Justice; Director Search Committee Named

The Lender Center for Social Justice has familiar leadership for the 2023-24 academic year while a renewed search for a permanent director is conducted. Kendall Phillips, founding co-director of the Lender Center and professor in the Department of Communication and…

Syracuse Views Spring 2023

We want to know how you experience Syracuse University. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience using #SyracuseU on social media, fill out a submission…

Awards of Excellence Honoree: Maxwell has Been ‘a Guiding Hand’ in Public Service Career

Standing before an audience of fellow Maxwell School alumni gathered in Washington, D.C., for the second annual Maxwell Awards of Excellence, CNN anchor Boris Sanchez ’09 shared the motivation behind his work as a journalist. Sanchez emigrated from Cuba as…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.