Film Awareness and Reaction: Adam

Recently, one of our Aspie Insiders, Miles, had first hand experience with the film, Adam, in which a young man with Asperger's syndrome becomes romantically involved with an outgoing neighbor who approaches the relationship with relative caution. The film has had a positive reception from critics and stands up as a romantic comedy that touches on the challenges that Asperger's syndrome can bring to any relationship. For its commentary on the interaction between Asperger's syndrome and romantic relationships, however, it is a rare gem.


 

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Sunday, November 6th at 7:45 for a free, pubic showing of Adam.

The iCan House in Winston-Salem will be sponsoring a showing of Adam that is free and open to the public  at a/perture cinema in Winston-Salem, (311 W. 4th St).
Doors open at 7:15, so plan to be early since the seats are first come, first serve. After the movie there will be a discussion led by adults with Asperger's syndrome on "relationships." Donations are accepted at the door on behalf of iCan House Services, Inc.

Miles, an Aspie Insider and blog contributor watched the film twice.... but he did not expect to do so.

The first go around with the film was hard and uncomfortable... so, in an effort to understnd why it was so emotionally challenging, he watched it a second time and afterwords, understood what 5 things about the film were bothering him and has shared them with us!

As an adult with Asperger's Syndrome, Miles has a unique perspective and to which we feel that our communities should pay attention. Thus, for Miles, this film was deeply personal, affecting him in that waythat most films can only hope to: he saw himself on screen. He is Adam.

It's this aspect of Adam that is particularly valuable to individuals with Asperger's syndrome and the rest of the population that do not. The movie helps depict a reality that goes unnoticed and misunderstood by most, but one that is frighteningly real to those on the Autism Spectrum that want so badly to form relationships of any kind.

For Miles, it was a matter of identifying himself in the character of Adam and coming to terms with certain truths that the film helped make more evident... which he had not yet understood about himself.

To help us all understand, he has generously created a list of 5 ways that he identified with Adam that are valuable to both Aspies and not-Aspies alike.

1. Adam has communication problems.
   For me it's sometimes like the words get mixed up when traveling from my brain to my mouth and I have to try and put them back in order.
2. Adam is afraid to socially interacting with the social world.
   There is that unknown factor of whether or not I will be accepted or not, the situations I’ll find myself in, or if I say the right thing. Its easier to be by myself, but not as fun, therefore creating confusion.
3. Adam has a “weird” fascination, in this case, its space exploration.
   I have a similar fascination with eastern philosophy and meditation, but usually keep these to myself, as I can start an unpleasant conversation. This can lead into the social thing.
4. Adam has trouble expressing his feelings, which can result in a misunderstanding of sorts. Sometimes when I was sad or mad, I didn’t know how to express it in the right words, and I retreated into myself and bottled it all up until the levees would start to crack. I’ve gotten much better at this through writing and meditation technique.
   
   
5. Adam needs help to interpret the world.
   As do I, but we all live in different worlds. So its not like you tell me this so I must believe that’s the way it is. It's gathering all available knowledge and then picking the own that makes sense to me. Interpreting the world with someone's help is a wonderful thing, but in the end I have to decide what is the right interpretation.

If you would like more information about the movie, you can find that at the film's website.

You can hear Miles speak in person about his reaction to the film following the Film Awareness free showing on Sunday, November 6th at 7:45 at a/perture cinema in Winston-Salem.