The Horse Boy

“It's not the destination; it's the journey.” That mantra propels journalist/human rights activist Rupert Isaacson and his wife, psychology professor Kristin Neff, to travel with their autistic son, Rowan, from their Texas home to Mongolia to trek on horseback through the high mountains into a valley where, according to mystical tradition, reindeer-herding shamans practice healing rituals. Despite countless traditional and alternative treatments, five-year-old Rowan cannot coherently communicate, successfully interact with others, control his toilet functions, or curb unpredictable outbursts of screaming—but he seems to have a natural affinity for horses. Aware that in Mongolia, shamanism is the preferred method of healthcare, Rupert convinces skeptical Kristin that spiritual intervention might help both Rowan and themselves. So, in the summer of 2007, the family embarked on their challenging, adventurous quest into the wilderness. Produced and narrated by Isaacson, directed and photographed by Michel Orion Scott, this inspiring documentary also integrates perceptive commentary from autism experts such as Cambridge University's Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen (cousin of comedian Sacha Baron-Cohen), George Washington University anthropologist Roy Richard Grinker, and Dr. Temple Grandin, professor of animal behavior at Colorado State University, who herself is autistic. A powerful documentary, this is highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include additional interviews with autism experts including Dr. Temple Grandin and Professor Simon Baron-Cohen (27 min.), behind-the-scenes footage and outtakes (23 min. total), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning doc.] (S. Granger)