Aug 5, 2016 2 min read

The Hollywood Theater in Dormont will screen “Life, Animated” through Aug. 18.

The 2016 film tells the story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films.

Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams directed “Life, Animated,” which follows Owen as he graduates to adulthood and takes his first steps toward independence. The subject of his father Ron Suskind’s New York Times bestseller, Owen was a thriving 3-year-old who suddenly and inexplicably went silent, and for years after remained unable to connect with other people or to convey his thoughts, feelings or desires.

Over time, through repeated viewings of Disney classics like “The Little Mermaid” and “The Lion King,” Owen found useful tools to help him to understand complex social cues and to re-connect with the world around him.

“Life, Animated” interweaves Disney sequences with verite scenes from Owen’s life in order to explore how his identification and empathy for characters like Simba, Jafar and Ariel gave him a means to understand his feelings and allowed him to interpret reality.

Sensory-friendly screenings will be held 4 p.m. Aug. 14 and 7 p.m. Thursday Aug. 18. The theater’s lights will be turned up brighter than normal and the sound turned down to less-than-normal levels. Some people are more likely to enjoy the film without the risk of being told to be quiet or sit down because it is not expected that they will be silent or stay seated at all times.

The special screenings are supported in part by the Autism Society of Pittsburgh, which will have a table in the Hollywood’s lobby with information about autism support services throughout the run of “Life, Animated.”

The documentary is rated PG and runs for 89 minutes. For more information, visit www.thehollywooddormont.org or call 412-563-0368.