At the age of three, the lively Owen suddenly stops talking. Autism makes him slip into a dark and secluded world. There seems to be no way back. When his father one day picks up the parrot doll from Aladdin and starts talking to Owen in that role, Owen abruptly responds with a phrase from the Disney movie. A turning point for Owen and his family. Owen learns to express himself by means of dialogues from dozens of Disney movies he knows by rote. This coming-of-age story is beautifully visualised by scenes from Disney films and drawn events from Owen’s life. The heart-warming documentary raises questions about Owen’s identification with cartoon characters, but above all makes a plea for love and understanding from the environment. Sundance winner.

This program screened as part of HAFF 2017