Huambo - The Angolan film "Iris - the dive into the world of autistic people", which tells the story of the mother of an autistic teenager, premiered on Saturday night in Huambo province.
The drama is based on a true story of a 35-year-old woman, married for three years, who saw her marriage fall apart because one of her two children was diagnosed with autism, as well as being crucified by society for looking for solutions to treat the disease.
Speaking to ANGOP, the film's protagonist, Íris André, said the film is based on her life story, after her son, now 16 years old, was diagnosed with autism, and she recounted the difficulties before and after the disease was identified.
She lamented the fact that, with illnesses of this kind, the cultural issue is still evident, due to the difficulties the patients have with their speech, behavior and movement, and that parents are forced to seek out traditional therapists, pastors and other rituals, without knowing that this is a health situation.
Íris André said the film aims to demystify these beliefs, to educate society not to associate mental health issues with witchcraft and spiritual practices, as it is a scientific illness.
She said the film, which lasts more than an hour, was shot in 2023 by Blandin Clánder and is portrayed by more than 20 actors and costumes.
Actress Delma Francisco, who plays the role of Iris, the mother of the two children, said it was challenging to play a very delicate role in the film, as well as having to teach families how to deal with situations of this kind.
Actor Augusto Fonseca Capiñgala, who plays the role of the son with autism, said that it was good to embody a just cause, which aimed to raise awareness and change people's mentality towards greater education and inclusion in society.
The screening of the film was preceded by a talk at the "Princess Diana" Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre in Huambo, with the aim of instructing some families on how to deal with the disease.
The film premiered first in Luanda and Benguela. ZZN/JSV/ALH/TED/AMP
