Learning Disability Today
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Moana, Fantastic Beasts and Rogue One among December’s Autism Friendly Films line-up

Autism Friendly FilmsWinter blockbusters Moana, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story are among the films being shown as part of the Autism Friendly Films initiative in December.

Moana will be shown at selected Cineworld cinemas on Sunday, December 4 at 11am. The film will also be shown on the following Sunday at selected ODEON cinemas, starting at 10.15am.

Also on Sunday, December 11, Showcase will be showing Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them at 10am.

For older audiences, 9 ODEON cinemas will show Sully: Miracle on the Hudson (12A) on Monday, December 12 at 6pm. 

Also, on Friday, December 30 at 10:15am, ODEON are showing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story at cinemas with 8 or more screens. However, please check with ODEON before trying to book tickets.

Finally, The Secret Life of Pets will be shown at selected Vue cinemas on Sunday, January 1 at 10:15am. 

Moana is Disney’s latest blockbuster. The film, which is based on stories from Polynesian mythology, tells the story of Moana Waialiki, the only daughter of a chief from a long line of sea navigators. When the fishermen on her island can’t catch any fish and the crops fail, she learns this was caused by the demigod Maui, who stole the heart of the goddess Te Fiti. The only way to rectify the situation is to persuade Maui to return Te Fiti’s heart, so Moana sets off on a journey across the Pacific to make it happen.

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is the latest film based in the Harry Potter universe. Written by JK Rowling and set in the 1920s, its hero is Newt Scamander, a young wizard who visits New York with his mysterious suitcase full of magical creatures. He arrives at a troubled time, with a dark wizard causing havoc in the city and the fragile equilibrium of secrecy between the unseen world of wizards and the ordinary, or ‘no-maj’, people at risk of being unsettled. Trouble increases for Scamander when his suitcase gets accidentally switched for one owned by a ‘no-maj’.

Sully: Miracle on the Hudson tells the real-life story of airline pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who, on January 15, 2009, landed his stricken plane onto the icy waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 people aboard. But that was just the beginning as Sully then faced an investigation that threatened to destroy his reputation and career.

The much-anticipated Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the first in the series that isn’t part of the main canon. Here, Jyn Erso, a Rebellion soldier and criminal, is sent out on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. With help from the Rebels and non-allied forces, Jyn ends up involved in something bigger than she could have ever imagined.

Finally, The Secret Life of Pets sees terrier Max’s cushy life as a pet in a Manhattan apartment block challenged when his owner brings a new dog, Duke, home. The pair take an instant dislike to each other, but must put aside their differences when they accidentally end up on the streets and find out that a rabbit called Snowball, along with an army of lost pets, is planning revenge on humans. 

Sensory friendly environment

Autism Friendly Screenings are mainstream films shown in a sensory friendly environment. Lights are on low, sound is turned down, trailers are omitted and people can bring their own food, make noise and move around the cinema as they feel comfortable.

To view a full list of participating cinemas visit www.dimensions-uk.org/autismfriendly.

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LDT Editor

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