IFFBoston Doc Review: for the love of dogs

In addition to the screener links I received for IFFBoston narrative shorts, I also got one from Tim O’Donnell whose documentary for the love of dogs took home the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the festival. Since I really enjoyed his story, I wanted to share my quick take on it.

Like all good documentaries, O’Donnell’s short for the love of dogs makes a large issue accessible to the masses by zooming in on a small group of people experiencing it. The specific topic addressed in O’Donnell’s film is why children with autism struggle with social interactions. O’Donnell examines the subject through the lens of Cory, an 11-year-old boy with Asperger’s who has found a unique way of connecting with others: his love of dogs.

Through interviews with Cory’s parents and therapists you learn a lot of fascinating scientific information about why children with autism have a hard time relating to their peers. Then in O’Donnell’s footage, he shows you how Cory’s particular physiological differences impact his daily life. So later on, when you watch him bond with show dog owners at the National Dog Show, you’re impressed by how he manages to transcend his typical social hurdles. Not only is Cory’s knowledge of the canine world awe inspiring, but it’s wonderful to see how his intense interest has brought him closer to his parents, especially his mother.

O’Donnell’s film is well-shot, delivering some nice moments in its short running time, like a dreamy underwater view of Cory as he happily swims around a pool. There’s just the right amount of sentimentality in O’Donnell’s shot selection and in his music to touch you without make you feel like you’re being emotionally manipulated. Another impressive aspect of his short its ability to break down complex concepts in a way that never makes you feel stupid. That’s a rare thing because many documentaries tend to be heavy-handed or pompous in their teaching.

By the documentary’s end I found myself rooting for Cory and his family. I’m hopeful that he will continue thriving and bridging social gaps with his peers through his love of dogs. I also hope that his story can inspire other autistic children to connect with people through their own individual interests.

For more information on O’Donnell’s documentary, visit www.loveofdogsmovie.com. And to learn more about IFFBoston, visit www.iffboston.org.