“Opens a door to new perceptions of what it means to be autistic, what it means to be the parents of an autistic child, and what Western medical practice too often fails to include in its prescription for wellness of all kinds: the power of the spirit.” AUSTIN CHRONICLE

“A lyrical, heartbreaking, and deeply stirring meditation on the mystery of autism.” ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Currently screening at Sydney Film Festival and nominated for The Grand July Price at Sundance 2009; Hopscotch Entertainment is thrilled to announce its latest acquisition, The Horse Boy.

Based on the best-selling book of the same name, The Horse Boy is part travel adventure, part insight into shamanic tradition and part intimate look at the autistic mind.  It is the remarkable story of Rowan Isaacson – a severely autistic child who begins to find solace through a special bond that he forms with horses.  Rowan’s parents take him to Mongolia, where the nomadic horse life is still lived by most of the country’s people, and where shamanism – healing at its most raw and direct – is the state religion.  Moving, mysterious, candid and beautifully photographed, The Horse Boy is an extraordinary debut from filmmaker Michel Orion Scott.

The Horse Boy will be released on DVD 20th August to coincide with the Australian tour of author/producer/film subject Rupert Isaacson.  The book has been selling 800 copies a week in Australia since its release this year in April and was a top 10 bestseller in the UK.

Autism is one of the most misunderstood, yet rapidly increasing conditions in the world.  Some astonishing facts about autism:

• 1 in 150 births suffer from some form of autism.
• Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability with 10% – 17% annual growth.
• The cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention.
• In 10 years, the annual cost of care fees will be $200-400 billion in USA alone.