The Reason I Jump
Directed by Jerry Rothwell
Based on the best-selling book by Naoki Higashida, later translated into English by author David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas), The Reason I Jump is an immersive cinematic exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people from around the world. The film blends Higashida's revelatory insights into autism, written when he was just 13, with intimate portraits of five remarkable young people. It opens a window for audiences into an intense and overwhelming, but often joyful, sensory universe.
Moments in the lives of each of the characters are linked by the journey of a young Japanese boy through an epic landscape; narrated passages from Naoki’s writing reflect on what his autism means to him and others, how his perception of the world differs, and why he acts in the way he does: the reason he jumps. The film distils these elements into a sensually rich tapestry that leads us to Naoki’s core message: not being able to speak does not mean there is nothing to say.
Reviews More Reviews
“This superb documentary has more heroes than any blockbuster would dare to put on the same screen.”
“This is non-fiction filmmaking at its most enlightening.”
"Exquisite. The Reason I Jump will change how you think."
"An inventive, sensuous documentary worthy of its source. This compassionate, creative documentary will open ears and eyes in equal measure. As emotionally piercing as it is beautiful to behold."
“Bridges the divide between the neurodivergent minority and the neurotypical majority with empathy and originality.”
"This is a wondrous work... that enlightens and informs but that is also ravishing to behold."
“Moving and informative.”
"The Reason I Jump will be revelatory for viewers who know little about the subject, and affirmative for caregivers and parents of children on the autism spectrum."
“Succeeds in presenting the world of autism as an audiovisual sensory experience.”
"A powerful challenge of our preconceived notions of autism… The film weaves together the stories of five mostly nonverbal autistic teens to present a rich tapestry of the autistic experience.”
"A profound and moving experience."
“The Reason I Jump is both advocacy and art... it’s a rare perspective onto the world we all share, a gentle but admirably firm request for compassion we’d all do well to heed."
"The thoughtful, transformative and deeply empathetic documentary The Reason I Jump seeks to illuminate the mysteries of the autistic mind and succeeds with flying colors... a leap of faith that is deeply rewarding."
“Does an excellent job of helping us better understand [autism] through the eyes and thoughts of five autistic children.”
Press & Exhibitors
Below please find additional information and promotional materials for this film. Use the buttons on the left to request to book this film for theatrical or educational/community screenings.
For all press requests, please contact us at press@kinolorber.com.
Technical Info
- Color: Color
Press & Promotion:
playdates
Venue | City | State | Date |
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1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center | Fredonia | NY | 1611550800January 25 - February 12, 2021 |
a/perture cinema | Winston Salem | NC | 1606971600December 3, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
ACME Screening Room | Lambertville | NJ | 1610341200January 11 - February 19, 2021 |
AFI Silver | Silver Spring | MD | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - February 26, 2021 |
Alexander Valley Film Society | Cloverdale | CA | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
Art House Billings | Billings | MT | 1611810000January 28 - May 12, 2021 |
Art Theatre of Long Beach | Long Beach | CA | 1611550800January 25 - May 12, 2021 |
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks | Bethlehem | PA | 1609390800December 31, 2020 - February 5, 2021 |
Athena Cinema | Athens | OH | 1609995600January 7 - March 5, 2021 |
Autism Society Southeastern Wisconsin | Wauwatosa | WI | 1617854400April 8 - April 24, 2021 |
Avalon Theatre | Washington | DC | 1611550800January 25 - May 12, 2021 |
Balboa Theatre | San Francisco | CA | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
BAM Rose Cinemas | Brooklyn | NY | 1607662800December 11, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Baxter Avenue Theatres | Louisville | KY | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
Bedford Playhouse | Bedford | NY | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 3, 2021 |
Best Buddies NY | Rochester | NY | 1614056400February 23 - May 12, 2021 |
Bijou Theatre | Lincoln City | OR | 1610514000January 13 - April 2, 2021 |
Bozeman Film Society | Bozeman | MT | 1611032400January 19 - May 12, 2021 |
Bryn Mawr Film Institute | Bryn Mawr | PA | 1608526800December 21, 2020 - March 2, 2021 |
Burns Court Cinemas | Sarasota | FL | 1608094800December 16, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Byrd Theatre | Richmond | VA | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Cameo Cinema | St. Helena | CA | 1611637200January 26 - May 12, 2021 |
Chelsea Theater | Chapel Hill | NC | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
Cinema Society | San Diego | CA | 1607662800December 11, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Cinemapolis | Ithaca | NY | 1611032400January 19 - May 12, 2021 |
CineSpeak | Philadelphia | PA | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
City Lights Cinemas | Florence | OR | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Cleveland Cinemas | Cleveland | OH | 1608094800December 16, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Cleveland Cinematheque | Cleveland | OH | 1607662800December 11, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Colonial Theatre | Keene | NH | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - February 18, 2021 |
Coolidge Corner Theatre | Brookline | MA | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
Crandell Theatre | Chatham | NY | 1607662800December 11, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Crystal Theatre | Carbondale | CO | 1609822800January 5 - February 19, 2021 |
Darkside Cinema | Corvallis | OR | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
DEE Film Fest Online | Philadelphia | PA | 1613451600February 16 - March 27, 2021 |
Denver Film / Sie FilmCenter | Denver | CO | 1608008400December 15, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Detroit Institute of Arts | Detroit | MI | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Downing Film Center | Newburgh | NY | 1609218000December 29, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Drexel Theatre | Columbus | OH | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Enzian Theatre | Maitland | FL | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Film Society of Summit | Summit | NJ | 1607662800December 11, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Film Streams | Omaha | NE | 1609995600January 7 - April 5, 2021 |
Fine Arts Theatre | Asheville | NC | 1608094800December 16, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Fine Arts Theatres | Overland Park | KS | 1608699600December 23, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Flicks Theatre | Boise | ID | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Gateway Film Center | Columbus | OH | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Goldtown Nickelodeon Theater | Juneau | AK | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Grail Moviehouse | Asheville | NC | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
Grand Cinema | Tacoma | WA | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Guild Cinema | Albuquerque | NM | 1610168400January 9 - May 12, 2021 |
Hamptons Film | East Hampton | NY | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Harbor Theater | Boothbay Harbor | ME | 1610686800January 15 - May 12, 2021 |
Harris Theater | Pittsburgh | PA | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
Hayesville Opera House | Hayesville | OH | 1611032400January 19 - March 5, 2021 |
Historic Howell Theater | Howell | MI | 1610427600January 12 - May 12, 2021 |
Jacob Burns Film Center | Pleasantville | NY | 1609822800January 5 - February 11, 2021 |
Kiggins Theatre | Vancouver | WA | 1608526800December 21, 2020 - March 19, 2021 |
Laemmle Theatres | Los Angeles | CA | 1610082000January 8 - May 12, 2021 |
Landmark Cinemas | Peoria | IL | 1608094800December 16, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Lincoln Theatre | Mount Vernon | WA | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
Lumiere Cinema | Los Angeles | CA | 1611723600January 27 - May 12, 2021 |
Lyric Theatre | Blacksburg | VA | 1610168400January 9 - May 12, 2021 |
Majestic Theater | Gettysburg | PA | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - February 26, 2021 |
Mayo Performing Arts Center | Morristown | NJ | 1611637200January 26 - May 12, 2021 |
Michigan Theater | Ann Arbor | MI | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Middleburg Film Festival | Middleburg | VA | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Midtown Cinema | Harrisburg | PA | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Minor Theater | Arcata | CA | 1612760400February 8 - May 12, 2021 |
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston | Houston | TX | 1607662800December 11, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Museum of the Moving Image | Astoria | NY | 1608267600December 18, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Naro Expanded Cinema | Norfolk | VA | 1616385600March 22 - May 19, 2021 |
Neptune Movie House | Long Beach | WA | 1608094800December 16, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
New Plaza Cinema | New York | NY | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
NJ Autism Center of Excellence | Piscataway | NJ | 1617076800March 30 - May 13, 2021 |
Normal Theater | Normal | IL | 1610514000January 13 - May 12, 2021 |
O Cinema | Miami Beach | FL | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Park City Film | Park City | UT | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Pensacola Cinema Art | Pensacola | FL | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Pickford Film Center | Bellingham | WA | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center | Patchogue | NY | 1610514000January 13 - May 12, 2021 |
Plaza Theatre | Atlanta | GA | 1607662800December 11, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Portland Museum of Art | Portland | ME | 1607662800December 11, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Red River Theatres | Concord | NH | 1608181200December 17, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
ReelAbilities Film Festival | New York | NY | 1607662800December 11, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Reg Lenna Center for the Arts | Jamestown | NY | 1611810000January 28 - May 12, 2021 |
Rose Theatre | Port Townsend | WA | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Roxie Theater | San Francisco | CA | 1611550800January 25 - May 12, 2021 |
Salem Cinema | Salem | OR | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Salina Art Center | Salina | KS | 1608526800December 21, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Salt Lake Film Society | Salt Lake City | UT | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
Sebastiani Theatre | Sonoma | CA | 1609131600December 28, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
SIFF Film Center | Seattle | WA | 1607662800December 11, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Smith Rafael Film Center | San Rafael | CA | 1608008400December 15, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Sneak Preview | 1608613200December 22, 2020 - January 8, 2021 | ||
South Bay Film Society | Torrance | CA | 1602216000October 9, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
State Theatre | Modesto | CA | 1613451600February 16 - April 2, 2021 |
Strand Theatre | Rockland | ME | 1608526800December 21, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Symphony Space | New York | NY | 1614142800February 24 - May 12, 2021 |
Taking Over Presents | Brooklyn | NY | 1614229200February 25 - May 12, 2021 |
Tampa Theatre | Tampa | FL | 1609995600January 7 - March 26, 2021 |
Taos Center For The Arts | Taos | NM | 1610427600January 12 - May 12, 2021 |
The Arc of Virginia | Richmond | VA | 1595476800July 23 - October 18, 2020 |
The Frida Cinema | Santa Ana | CA | 1610514000January 13 - May 12, 2021 |
The Little Theatre | Rochester | NY | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
The Loft Cinema | Tucson | AZ | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival | Chilmark | MA | 1615953600March 17 - March 29, 2021 |
The Moviehouse | Millerton | NY | 1608094800December 16, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
The Neon | Dayton | OH | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
The Nightlight Cinema | Akron | OH | 1608613200December 22, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
The Screening Room | Newburyport | MA | 1609822800January 5 - February 19, 2021 |
The Tull Family Theater | Sewickley | PA | 1610168400January 9 - May 12, 2021 |
Time & Space Limited | Hudson | NY | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Tivoli at the Nelson-Atkins | Kansas City | MO | 1609390800December 31, 2020 - March 6, 2021 |
Tivoli Theatre | Chattanooga | TN | 1611896400January 29 - April 23, 2021 |
Tropic Cinema | Key West | FL | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
UCR ARTS | Riverside | CA | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
United Theatre | Westerly | RI | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
University of Southern California | Los Angeles | CA | 1610600400January 14, 2021 |
Varsity Theatre | Davis | CA | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Vickers Theatre | Three Oaks | MI | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |
Vogue Theatre | Manistee | MI | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
Waters Edge Cinema | Provincetown | MA | 1609995600January 7 - May 12, 2021 |
Wellfleet Preservation Hall | Wellfleet | MA | 1607922000December 14, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Zeitgeist Theatre | Arabi | LA | 1608526800December 21, 2020 - May 12, 2021 |
Zinema 2 | Duluth | MN | 1609822800January 5 - May 12, 2021 |