SYNOPSIS
Co-created by neurodiverse directors from the 'Neurocultures Collective' and artist-filmmaker Steven Eastwood, The Stimming Pool is a unique film exploring a world shaped by neurodiverse perspectives. The narrative unfolds through an autistic camera, capturing diverse subjects navigating environments both challenging and comforting. Characters, some concealing their autism, others thriving in their communities, share a common goal: finding a space free from societal norms—the Stimming Pool.
REVIEW
The Stimming Pool is a captivating hybrid documentary that immerses viewers in the multifaceted world of neurodiversity. Conditions often labeled as disabilities or abnormalities—such as autism, ADHD, and neuroses—are reframed as variations in brain function, opening a realm of imagination and sensations free from the confines of enforced normality. This film is a collaboration between the UK-based Neurocultures Collective, a group of neurodiverse filmmakers, and Steven Eastwood, known for his work on medical-themed films. Blending documentary and fiction, personal and collective narratives, they craft an experimental yet contemplative cinematic experience. The stories, drawn from the directors' own lives, flow like a relay, sometimes circling back or venturing into unexpected territories. As viewers navigate the loosely arranged scenes, they gradually connect with the sensory experiences of neurodivergent individuals in a world often perceived as noisy and chaotic. Gregory Oke, the cinematographer known for Aftersun (2022), captures images that defy linear logic, instead repeating and expanding in harmony with the film's exploration of neurodiversity. This approach represents a new cinematic aesthetic—one that celebrates diversity by transcending conventional norms.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
The Stimming Pool features autistic actors and neurodivergent performance artist Dre Spisto (Edinburgh Fringe 2023). The Neurocultures Collective participated behind the scenes. Shot on Super 16mm by Greg Oke (Aftersun (2022)), it draws inspiration from Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s social surrealism and references Playtime (1967) by Jacques Tati and Slacker (1990) by Richard Linklater. The co-direction and apprenticeship structure promote inclusion for neurodivergent creatives, empowering them in filmmaking.
