On March 27, the second event of our “Comic + Film: Intimate Accounts of Autism and Alzheimer’s” film miniseries will showcase “Maria and I” (María y yo), a Spanish documentary film based on the world-renowned graphic novel of the same name.
“Maria and I” (María y yo) follows the journey of Spanish graphic artist Miguel Gallardo and his 14-year-old autistic daughter María (played by themselves) in a story that blends humor, tenderness, reality and a little bit of fantasy.
Miguel Gallardo himself will attend the event and he will participate in a post screening discussion with Dr Paul W C Wong, Project Director (Family Support) of JC A-Connect, and the audience.
Spanish wine and tapas will be served at the reception prior to the screening
Time and venue: March 27, Wednesday, 18:30. Chong Yuet Ming Physics Building LG1 – CYPP3, HKU.
Language: Film in Spanish and Catalan with English subtitles. The event will be conducted in English.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYtW7bAYWTw
Website: https://spanish.hku.hk/?p=2180
How to get to CYPP3: https://spanish.hku.hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/How-to-get-to-CYPP3.pdf
Registration:
For HKU members (HKU Portal login is required):
https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=63729
For non-HKU members:
https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?guest=Y&ueid=63729
OPEN TO ALL AUDIENCES
Organised by: Spanish Programme HKU
Sponsors: Consulate General of Spain in Hong Kong, School of Modern Languages and Cultures HKU, Dragoia Media.
Collaborator: Faculty of Social Sciences HKU
Praise for Miguel Gallardo’s work:
Do not be deceived by the apparent simplicity of Gallardo’s drawings. Stripped of unneeded decorations these drawings will capture you with their purity. This purity is what this book is about. Pure love between a father and daughter. Love towards family and friends. Love towards life.
Hanoch Piven, Illustrator & Educator
Maria and Me is an endearing account of a father’s view of his holiday with his daughter with autism. Beautifully illustrated and at times funny, it provides an alternative way of explaining some of the common traits of autism.
Tara Leniston, Actress and mother of a son with autism
The content is slight in terms of events, but the significance comes in attempting to build understanding about how it feels to take care of a child with autism.
Comics Worth Reading
Gallardo’s warmth and sincerity go some way to articulating the trivialities and concerns of parenting an autistic child, in a manner that is loving but not overly didactic or sentimental.
Shelf Abuse
Maria and Me gives us insight into the confusions, fears, wonder and delight that parents of children with autism live with every day. The story is funny, moving, and powerful without an ounce of sentimentality.
Gina Davies, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and autism expert
