The Reason I Jump

The Reason I Jump | 2020 | 12A | Dir. Naoki Higashida | UK | IMDb 7.4 | Documentary | 82 mins 

Jerry Rothwell’s 2020 documentary The Reason I Jump transforms Naoki Higashida’s 2007 memoir into an immersive, sensory-rich exploration of non‑verbal autism. The film blends Higashida’s translated reflections (by British author of Cloud Atlas David Mitchell) with portraits of five non‑speaking autistic individuals from India, the UK, the US, and Sierra Leone.

Rothwell crafts an unusual cinematic language that echoes the cognitive and sensory experience of autism: flickers of light, recurring sounds, fragmented memory sequences, and minimal narration merged with voice‑over readings of Higashida’s words.  

His stated intent "is not documentary exposition, but phenomenological immersion for neuro‑typical audiences". 

The production team also includes producer Jeremy Dear, whose own non‑verbal autistic son, Joss, is featured in the film.

Together, Rothwell and Dear spent years building trust and collaborating with families across continents, ensuring the film brings a true lived experience.  

The sound design, score, and cinematography help to frame everyday environments in unfamiliar ways.

The result is an unusual documentary - profound, empathic, and challenging to stereotypes about autism. It won the audience award at Sundance’s World Cinema Documentary Competition and best documentary at the British Independent Film Awards. 

·       Screen 2 upstairs

·       Doors open 6.45pm

·       Preceded by our AGM and end of season social so wine or soft drink included

·       Welcome from our chair Paula Stott @ 7.30pm

·       Free parking after 6pm if you DISPLAY an orange parking voucher, available from the Odeon lobby

·       Unreserved seating

·       We invite every viewer to score the film afterwards using a token system in the lobby