An Autism Simulation Narrative dealing with Domestic Violence, Homelessness, and the Search for a Peace House. On the Film Pocket Knife Pictures Youtube Channel now.
FAISAL is a musician at heart, but his autism doesn't help when it comes to family. Finally defending himself from BRAXTON, his brother, he gets punished by FATHER, who allows him to decide whether he should go to Juvenile Hall or a Mental Institution. MOTHER has no say. She is the compassionate one who understands him the most, but previous and present Domestic Violence keeps her in line.
The night before he is taken wherever, a girl with PINK SHORTS runs along from outside. Observing from the bedroom window, FAISAL's memory of a Peace House is triggered, which inspires him to leave and find it.
FAISAL's homeless adventure showcases his personal autistic vulnerabilities; including but not limited to deviating focus because of an intriguing action, naive trust towards individuals simply based upon their tone of voice, and a cheesy shade of black-and-white viewing narrative. The last point gives an unreliable narrator quality throughout, sprinkled with moments of different characters showing their point of view. Some of these moments are subtle while others are explicit.
Eventually, he is forced back home. Violence ensues once the DETECTIVES leave until MOTHER intervenes. FATHER takes action against the insult, but FAISAL leaps for her defense and attacks, which takes BRAXTON aback.
Shocking events occur as a result, but MOTHER and FAISAL end up escaping. They drive to the house of MOTHER's high-school-friend, MARTHA. Everything feels doomed at the location until MARTHA comes about ten minutes later and PHIL, her husband, arrives soon after. In just two days, FAISAL ends up feeling eerily at peace, for PHIL is quite the father figure and their dog, BARUCH, is quite friendly. But nightmares and post-traumatic tension from MOTHER keep him on edge, no matter how much MARTHA tries to comfort her.
In the end, FATHER attacks and a fragmented aftermath gives puzzle pieces to how it happened. Revelations from a difficult situation are given to certain characters while, in addition, positive rebirth of new life, both literally and figuratively, give FAISAL an open, hopeful ending.
For the moment,...
