A new experimental film, co-created by the Neurocultures Collective, a group of young artists on the autism spectrum, presents a unique and thought-provoking exploration of how autism influences creativity and self-understanding. Titled The Stimming Pool, the film is a docufictional experiment that blends humor, intellectual curiosity, and vivid ideas, offering an unprecedented look at the intersection of autism and artistic expression.
The film is a collage of personal and creative moments from the collective’s members. One participant is seen hosting a B-movie cult film club while simultaneously drawing a storyboard for a horror animation about zombies in the American Civil War, with a preview of the animation appearing later in the film. Another participant is shown filling out an autism assessment questionnaire in a doctor’s waiting room, while a young girl across from her reads a story about a border collie named Chess. In a later sequence, the girl takes on the role of Chess. After completing her questionnaire, the participant watches a series of videos as the doctor tracks her eye movements, with onscreen graphics revealing where the viewer’s attention may or may not have focused, offering a visual representation of how perception can differ.
The collective’s members also showcase their personal rituals and repetitive movements, integral to their creative process and role-playing activities. These behaviors, known as “stimming,” are an important aspect of the film’s exploration of autism and creativity.
The film’s narrative is structured as a quasi-fictional event, interweaving discussions about the participants’ creative projects with the works they produce. Guided by artist and filmmaker Steven Eastwood, the group’s interactions culminate in a powerful scene in an empty swimming pool, transformed into a “stimming pool,” which symbolizes their collective innovation and creative synergy.
With its atmospheric and engaging portrayal of autism, The Stimming Pool offers new perspectives on a topic often shrouded in mystery. The film succeeds in capturing the intensity of the autism experience and leaves viewers with a deepened understanding of how autism shapes creativity and identity. The creative ideas presented are rich with potential, and many would benefit from being expanded into full-length features.
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