“Film a true-to-life portrayal” – A letter to the Editor

From the Press-Citizen, September 28, 2011

I recently had the pleasure of seeing the film “GORK!” for the third time at an encore screening at the Iowa City Public Library last week (“Our View — New autism documentary shows more support needed for families ‘on the spectrum,’” Sept. 22). Each time I am more convinced it could be a very important film if there is a wide enough distribution.

This film shares the non-airbrushed version of the joys and frustration of dealing with school systems, physicians, supervised living, human services and a host of issues that, rather than helping individuals and families identify and locate needed services, only seem to serve as a source of frustration. Underfunded and fragmented, this system provides little hope and seems to focus on the negatives.

I thank Adam, Autumn, Devon and the rest of the Terrill family for sharing with us this intimate family story and for inviting audiences to laugh, cry and curse with them as the story unfolds, while sharing with others that they are not alone in their struggles. This film is likely the best true-to-life dealing with real families and the very real issues they deal with every day that I have ever seen.

For those of you who have not seen it, yet contact the folks at the Landlocked Film Festival, maybe we can get another review; perhaps at the Englert.

For information about the film, visit http://gorkthemovie.com.

Terry Cunningham

Iowa City