Special Seasonal Cinema Treat – THE BLACK BALLOON at BFI Southbank (NFT3)
Following hot on the heels of November’s online screening, Citizen Autistic returns to the quaint, ‘2019-like’ ritual of in-person gatherings of bipedal homo-sapiens in enclosed spaces with an autism-friendly seasonal outing to THE BLACK BALLOON (2008) at the BFI Southbank (NFT3), 18:10 on Tuesday, 14 December!
THE BLACK BALLOON (2008) – Synopsis: Touching family drama following the Mollison family, whose oldest son Charlie is an autistic teenager. Desperate to ‘fit in’ with his peers and impress a girl, for fifteen-year-old Thomas (Rhys Wakefield), tending to his brother’s complex needs is something of an unwanted, uncalled-for burden.
Coming from a family with two autistic brothers, director and co-writer Elissa Down’s film is a highly autobiographical story that is by turns profoundly moving and refreshingly light-hearted. Also stars Toni Collete (Mary Dinkle in Mary and Max) as the pregnant mother, Maggie.
Timings: Please aim to arrive by 6 pm (6:10 start time). Runtime: 97 mins
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSrpcxwlEZg
INFO AND TICKETS: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=relaxedblackballoon&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id
HOW TO BOOK: The entry fee is £3,00, payable in advance online, by phone (020 7928 3232) or by emailing the Box Office: box.office@bfi.org.uk
RELAXED SCREENINGS – MORE INFO: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=relaxedscreenings
POST FILM INFORMAL CHAT: Opportunity post-film to share thoughts and opinions on the film and general experiences of being on the spectrum. Time: approx. 8 – 9 pm. Location: TBC, though likely a quiet area within the BFI building. Exact details will be updated here via email.
Except for those exempt, people are required to wear masks in the building and auditorium in line with the BFI’s in-house policy.
So, why not saunter on by on Tues, 14th, and feel free to bring some fleshy company if you like – book in advance to avoid disappointment and RSVP to this page so I can keep tabs on numbers!