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"Sonata: A Story of Autism"

Media screening of the documentary at Alliance Francaise

Nadia Sarwat
“One step, then the other — the little boy walks towards a new dawn’: This is the story of Tamzid, an autistic child whose mother has not stopped dreaming big. Sonata: A story of Autism (2007) is a documentary that traces the journey of a mother with her autistic child.
A media screening of the documentary was held yesterday at Alliance Francaise with an intention to generate awareness on autism and raising an autistic child in Bangladesh. The film is a production of Paix Media', a Washington-based non-profit organisation. Sonata is directed by Sentu Roy and Sagheer Faiz is the coproducer and editor of the film.
“One of my friends has an autistic child. I was overwhelmed by the difficulties in raising an autistic child. The struggles of the mother
inspired me to make the film,” said Sentu Roy. Tears of Fire (2001) and Right to Return (2006) are two other documentaries by Roy.
Providing a specialist's account of the characteristics, symptoms of autism and the techniques to help an autistic child develop social skills, the documentary carefully re-enacts the life of seven-year-old Tamzid. The story begins with a celebration in the family when Tamzid was born -- a
male child considered preferable in our society.
Eventually Rola, Tamzid's mother, senses that there's something wrong with her child. While autism is not an unheard of phenomenon, very few in tills country have an accurate idea of what it is. In the past autistic children were often treated as “mentally retarded ". Tamzid is lucky in the sense that he has received advanced therapies in U.S. Rola got a scholarship and moved there with her family. Later, Tamzid's parents discover a keen sense of music in him.
Most autistic children in Bangladesh however, do not get happy endings. Paix Media wants to contribute in creating an opportunity to provide specialised treatment to these children. “One out of hundred and fifty-five children in the world, is autistic. It is a serious issue. No matter what the statistics say, an autistic child can have a functional social life if diagnosed at an early stage. Awareness is the most important factor heres” said Haider Newaz Choudhury, executive producer of Paix Media.
At the open discussion that followed, Paix Media expressed their interest in screening the film at the district level in Bangladesh, as it can be a vehicle to explain that autism is not a hopeless condition. They also want to hold dialogues with the concerned authorities and the media to take initiatives in Bangladesh regarding the issue. ‘ Journalist and media personality Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul hosted the event.
Sonata was screened earlier in Bangladesh at the Dhaka Independent and Short Film Festival in February this year.