LOU

2022 | Canada | Directed by Martine Asselin & Annick Daigneault | Produced by UNLTD, Martine Asselin & Annick Daigneault | French, English

Autism is at once fascinating, challenging, and inspiring. Although this distinct neurological condition includes a set of common characteristics, there are as many different ways to be autistic as there are autistic people – hence the spectrum. Our main character, Lou, is based on stories and experiences shared by autistic people and inspired by the children of both directors. You will witness firsthand a few days in the life of this charming and vulnerable individual, from a children’s birthday party to his first day of high school. This is an inclusive production. Several people on the spectrum participated in the realization of the project. This work promotes empathy and a better understanding of this distinct neurological reality.

Screenplay and direction
Martine Asselin et Annick Daigneault

Produced by
Martine Asselin, Sébastien Gros, John Hamilton

In collaboration with
Louis-François Archambault-Therrien

WITH

Ève Asselin
Annick Daigneault

Justin Diamond
Théo Gilbert

Lou Leclair
Adrien Nicholas
Joane Rufiange

Creative Director 
Nicolas S. Roy

Experience Director 
Raed Moussa 

Project Managers
Mathieu Fecteau 
Stéphanie Émond

 Lead Developer
Gaëtan Thiesson 

Quill Artist 
Tyler Friedel

Sound Design 
Alex Bernatchez

Original Music 
Daniel Boisvert

Audio post-production Manager 
Catherine Pelletier

Martine Asselin

Screenplay, director and producer

A committed filmmaker, Martine Asselin writes and directs works that take an interest in social issues. The themes of difference, human rights, resilience and inclusion are central to her work. Over the years, she has directed around ten feature documentaries which were shown in festivals and on television, as well as short fiction, docu-fiction and animation films. In the last six years, she has been exploring the potential of virtual reality as a vector of documentary expression. Mother of an autistic child, she advocates for the positive recognition of neurodiversity.

Annick Daigneault

Screenplay and director

Creator of content and experiences, Annick Daigneault was first trained in theater before moving towards events and digital art. Designer of virtual reality works, installations and fond of new narrative forms, she tends to create opportunities for encounters and mediation through art. Founder of Sur le fil, foundation for inclusion, twice mother of colored humans, she is committed to positive recognition of all diversity and inclusion.

 20 min