The reality of fiction: understanding autism through narrative films

For years, the public relied on documentaries for an accurate representation of autism in film and television. These non‐fiction films were seen as the most reliable sources of information on the mysterious condition. Yet, as the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders continues to grow and information surrounding the condition spreads, narrative films have begun using the flexibility of the medium to spread a deeper understanding, one that taps into the autistic mind and teaches others how to interact with an individual on the autism spectrum. ❧ In particular, Australia’s Mary and Max and Belgium’s Ben X have taken advantage of standard cinematic structures to delve into the world surrounding autism. From discussing symptoms of autism to the reality of bullying in mainstream school settings, these films provide an all‐encompassing viewpoint to teach a mass public about autism in an entertaining, timeless way that documentary filmmaking has not presently achieved.