Director John Asher has just finished filming his upcoming dramatic feature Po (www.themoviepo.com) and is looking for families affected with autism to contribute their names to the closing sequence of the film.
Asher intends to use the names to fill the screen and create a visually compelling statement in an effort to raise awareness about autism. According to the advocacy organization Autism Speaks, autism affects 1 out of every 68 children born today.
Po follows the story of a recently widowed father struggling to raise his 10-year-old autistic son. The family drama stars Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs), Julian Feder (Weiner Dog franchise) as Po, and Kaitlin Doubleday (Empire). The film is completely authentic with Gorham, Asher and the writers, Colin Goldman and Steve C. Roberts, all having children with autism. It will also feature music by Burt Bacharach and Billy Idol, who were likewise moved by the project.
Asher hopes that other families dealing with autism will find some enjoyment out of this uplifting and magical story. He originally planned to close the film by dedicating it to his own son, Evan, but had the idea to give other children with autism the chance to be a part of the project. Asher explains, “Filling a 20-foot by 40-foot movie screen with the names of thousands of children with Autism will be extraordinarily powerful.”
The film is produced by LOFC Production, LLC.
Anyone affected by autism can contribute by going to www.themoviepo.com.
