What a beautiful titleIn flip-flops at the foot of the Himalayas ! John Wax, co-director of Simply blackrelied on a “single on stage” by Marie-Odile Weiss to write this beautiful story around Audrey Lamy. The actress is breathtaking in the role of a mother who alone raises her 6 and a half year old son diagnosed with TSA (Autism Spectrum Disorder). “Marie-Odile was on set to advise me on what to do to be completely credible,” Audrey Lamy explains to 20 Minutes.
The author also guided the young Eden Lopes, aged 8 at the time of filming, who one would really believe to be autistic because he is so natural. “The show was about Marie-Odile’s son from his birth until he was 11,” explains Audrey Lamy. John Wax chose to tighten the plot on a crucial school year for the child's future. It is, in fact, at this moment that it will be decided whether the child will be sent to a specialized school or whether he will be able to continue his education in a “normal” course. A choice that will affect his entire life.
Funny but not only
“Laughter helps make the subject lighter but this film is not just a comedy,” insists Audrey Lamy. It describes the life of a sometimes awkward but always loving 40-year-old woman who does her best to understand and help her son. » Those around him, overwhelmed or not very concerned, don't really help him climb the mountain that the illness represents. “What we are describing corresponds to a reality,” sighs the actress. Autism is not always well taken into account, especially since it can manifest itself in very diverse ways.”
The toddler's spectacular outbursts do not make it easier for him to integrate into his upper section of Kindergarten class where his teacher has taken a dislike to him. “It was not at all a question of stigmatizing overwhelmed teachers who are not trained to manage this type of situation,” insists Audrey Lamy. We just wanted to show how complicated things are on all sides. » The end-of-year show becomes a summit to be reached at all costs for the child but also for his mother. “All parents have experienced this even if their toddler is not sick,” insists Alexandra Lamy, “but autism makes the issue even more important. “.
Optimistic but not naive
We sympathize with this immature woman who grows up at the same time as her son in the face of adversity. We understand that she sometimes loses her temper following the tense flow of the worries of daily life. “I hope that parents of autistic children who see the film will find themselves in this story,” insists Audrey Lamy.
However, she has no illusions about the impact of the film on the care of autistic children. “I’m not naive,” she said. If part of the public discovers what the disease can involve, it will already be a great victory.” The tender humor that emerges fromIn flip flops at the foot of the Himalayas is a first appreciable step in this right direction.
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