'Bearsac', Asperger's Syndrome documentary UK 2009

Debra has Asperger Syndrome, affecting her ability to interact socially and relate to other people. Her best friend is a teddybear called Bearsac who, through Debra, has a life and personality all of his own, and takes great joy in interacting, entertaining and provoking anyone he meets.

'Bearsac' is an experience of Debra and Bearsac's world. We meet them both, explore Debra's Asperger's, it's links with Bearsac and observe the people who come into contact with them both. This film challenges peoples reaction to behaviours that are seen to be different from their idea of the 'norm', by sharing an insight from someone most people see simply as a 'nutter'.

© Splinter Faction Productions & Westminster Filmschool 2009

Finalist for 'Best Factual' award, Royal Television Society Student Television Awards London 2009

Producer & researcher: Krystian Jones www.splinterfaction.tv
Director: Johnathan Wei Dickinson
Editor: Daniel Davies
Camera: Julia Kopcinska
Sound recordist: Jennifer James
Sound mix & original composition: James Benson
Sound mix: Robert Harper

If you wish to use this film for educational or presentation purposes please contact the producer Krystian to arrange a DVD: kj@splinterfaction.tv

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Bearsac
• aspergers
• asperger's
• syndrome
• aspergers syndrome
• autism
• spectrum
• documentary
• short
• film
• student
• westminster
• filmschool
• westminster filmschool
• splinter
• faction
• productions
• SFP
• educational
• bear
• teddybear
• people first
• disability
• mental
• health
• illness
• mad
• normal
• nutter
• crazy
• society
• perception
• krystian
• jones
• johnathan
• wei
• dickinson
• daniel
• davies
• julia
• kopcinska
• widescreen
• mental illness

[splinterfaction]

Loving the comments and likes made on this film, thanks so much to everyone who's geting involved.

[xoxoPleaseRespond]

this scares me.

[splinterfaction]

@xoxoPleaseRespond

How so?

[dalinian61]

4/4: [...cont’d] When people like Debra & myself come out of the closet as people proud to be neurologically & psychologically different, desiring & demanding to be treated with respect, compassion, & equality, we are playing an equally valuable role in the wider struggle for human liberation: the consigning of negative prejudice & stigma directed towards folk who are ‘The Other’ (neurologically, psychologically, ethnically, transsexually, or in any other way) to the dustbin of history.

[splinterfaction]

@dalinian61 Thanks so much for your amazing feedback Tim! Superb insight mate =)

[benthejrporter]

I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in 2005 and nearly had my child taken away from me as a result. I had to go to court to get a second opinion. I think many people who are told they have Aspergers Syndrome are just people who are very eccentric and unusual! It worries me that the medical establishment are turning mavericks, free-spirits and non-conformists into "sick people" who need "treatment" and are not even fit to be a father!

[GManAcoustic1990]

i have aspergers syndrome, i really liked this documentary i hated that woman with buggy she was out of order, not alot of people rarely knows about this condition, ive had difficultys trying to find work, making new friends etc... and i always panic or get paranoid and cant help myself for doing it and i hate people looking at me weird thinking theres something wrong with me, what makes me happy is when i listen and play music, friends and other stuff im happy the way i am

[ssm81094]

she's lovely. sure she walks around talking through a teddy bear, but it helps her talk at least. I wish her all the best.

[DK3CHAMP]

Strangely this woman reminds me slightly of Tina Fey. :)

[benthejrporter]

@loderchris Some people are frightened of anything and anybody nonConformist.

[loderchris]

Can you believe some people are frightened by a Teddy Bear.

[999JPETZ]

This is ballsy, when autistic people start "coming out" as autistic ... this will be a really weird time in human liberation and the equal rights movement. Simple because autistic people will not only be speaking up for the autism community, but everyone who is neurodivergent.

[hooker1uk]

@essy111 I'm from luton. I met Debra and Bearsac while on my way home from the Mad Blog awards

[essy111]

@hooker1uk Are you from B.wood feel free to subscribe

[xoxoPleaseRespond]

@splinterfaction because I think I have aspergers and this is exactly what I'm scared of being perceived as.