In the Garden of Sounds

Filmmaker Nicola Bellucci's In the Garden of Sounds serves up a profile of Wolfgang Fasser, who gradually lost his sight due to retinitus pigmentosa and is now a specialized therapist who uses sound to get through to disabled and severely autistic children. Although he's a multi-instrumental musician, Fasser also incorporates noises from the natural world, which he records, and then introduces to kids at his rural retreat, additionally employing the sensations of touch and vibration. A few breakthroughs occur (including a boy dancing with his mother), but there's no input from medical experts about the efficacy of this therapy; indeed, Fasser seems to be regarded in the community as a mystic healer. The documentary works best as a study of Fasser's world, noting that he—paradoxically—became much more “liberated” after going completely blind at the age of 22. Living independently (his retired seeing-eye dog dies during the course of the film), Fasser has been working out of the same Italian town for 16 years, where he jams with local musicians. A brief journey with one young patient to a more stark, computerized, institutional-learning environment provides a contrast with Fasser's gentler methods; but as to which approach is more successful, well, viewers are left in the dark. DVD extras include footage of Fasser in performance, a director text bio, and a resource guide. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)