John Asher director of the film 'Po', directed and edited a touching story about a widowed father with his 12 year old son on the autism spectrum. The film has not yet been released but it has already won the best picture award at a film festival in Albuquerque, Houston and Palm Beach. The film has also received a standing ovation on their world premiere in Panama.
The role of David, the father was played by Christopher Gorham and Julian Feder plays the role of Po, a boy living on the autism spectrum. The two learned to live without a wife and mother figure in the home. Po being inquisitive and an imaginative kid is on a struggle. He has a hard time expressing his grief, just like most people living with the autism spectrum. His father would immerse himself in his high pressure job in order to cope with his own grief.
To Asher, his principle in creating the film goes, "You shouldn't be making the film unless you have some sort of first-hand experience about what the story is about"
Trailer has been made available first on Vimeo. From the teaser itself, it is evident that some parents who are affected by autism will be able to relate to some situations in the movie. The meltdowns, repetitive actions, the waking up at night because of anxiety and other issues that are connected with the condition are depicted in the film. The movie is all about acceptance and love.
According to The Mighty; "Po" was not created because of money but that it was a passion project. Asher's very own son named Evan is also living on the spectrum, the very reason why he was able to incorporate his son's attributes to the character of Po. The dialogue he said was well thought out and deliberated. All he wants is to depict truth with the hope that it will also educate people who are not affected by autism and that they will learn from it.
Truly heartwarming and almost real. Here is a sneak peek:
PO - official trailer from John Asher on Vimeo.
