Nominated for the Oscar for Best Documentary 2017.
'Life, Animated' is the remarkable story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to speak as a child until he discovered a pathway to language through Disney films.
The subject of his father Ron Suskind’s Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller, Owen was a thriving three year old who suddenly and inexplicably went silent – and for years after remained unable to connect with other people or to convey his thoughts, feelings or desires.
Over time, through repeated viewings of Disney classics like 'The Lion King', Owen found useful tools to help him to understand complex social cues and to re-connect with the world around him.
'Life, Animated' evocatively interweaves classic Disney sequences with verite scenes from Owen’s life in order to explore how his identification and empathy for characters like Simba, Jafar, and Ariel gave him a means to understand his feelings and allowed him to interpret reality. With an arsenal of narratives at his disposal, Owen rises to meet the challenges of adulthood in this moving coming-of-age tale.
★★★★★ "It’s an educational achievement masquerading as a feel-good documentary, and a must-watch" - Lanre Bakare, The Guardian
Got a voucher code? Click 'Watch Now' to enter on the payment page.
PG
92 minutes
2016
Documentary
United States
English
None
Dogwoof