"Hands to the Sky" tells the emotional story of an autistic man who fights to prove to himself and to the legal system that he can take care of his younger brother after the death of their mother.
Shot in Elizabeth and other New Jersey locations, the 18-minute-film was directed by Kimberly Townes ("True Blood," "Zero") and written by New Jersey native Theodore Perkins ("Legend Has It," "Betrayal"). The production included 20 individuals from the autism community within Union County.
Perkins plays the main character, Eugene, who is fighting to take custody of his younger brother. Eugene’s character is roughly based on Perkins’ younger cousin, who lives with autism.
"[My cousin] would take a piece of clay and sculpt the most amazing figures," says Perkins. "Watching him, I would be in awe of his focus while he expressed himself through clay. I often wondered how that focus would translate in his adult life."
The film explores an array of challenges for those living on the spectrum, such as difficulties finding work, building relationships and finding a place in the world to thrive and grow.
Perkins says it was important to shoot the film in New Jersey because of the state’s high autism rate. "New Jersey has a huge community [of] individuals living on the spectrum and families that support them," he says. "We have the highest rate of autism in this country, and I wanted to shed light on this fact, especially within urban communities where there is a lack of awareness on the subject."
Perkins, who grew up in Elizabeth, says he received a great outpouring of support from local businesses and officials, including Elizabeth Mayor Christian J. Bollwage and Councilwoman Patricia Perkins-Auguste.
He hopes the film, first as a short and eventually as a feature, can focus attention on important questions.
"As the spectrum community continues to rise in the state and country, we need to take a closer look on how these adults are integrated into society," he says. "How much responsibility are we extending? What are the tools offered to assist them being as fully human as they can be? How do we view adults on the spectrum when it comes to sexuality and drug abuse? These are all issues touched upon in the film."
"Hands to the Sky" is one of 163 films to be shown at the Golden Door Film Festival in Jersey City this weekend. More than 10,000 film fans are expected to attend. "Hands to the Sky" will be screened at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Landmark Loew’s Theatre in Journal Square.
More information can be found at goldendoorfilmfestival.org.