The Reason I Jump

https://www.harrogatefilmsociety.org/event-details/the-reason-i-jump

The Reason I Jump | 2020 | 12A | Dir. Naoki Higashida | UK | IMDb 7.4 | Documentary | 82 mins 13th April 2026 7.30 – 9.10pm

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 UK 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 powerful 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 foregrounds 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 - Unreserved seating
· Doors open 6.45pm
· Preceded by our end of season social so wine or soft drink included
· Welcome from our chair Paula Stott @ 7.30pm
· Free parking available at the Odeon
· We invite every viewer to score the film afterwards using a token system in the lobby
· Dvd for members available to borrow from our library
· We invite every viewer to score the film afterwards using a token system in the lobby

Entry is free for HFS members who have paid an annual subscription via our website.

Tickets for non-members will be available for this film the weekend before the screening.