I’m Coming Home (2019)
Director: Samuel Turner
Samuel Turner has autism. He is also a filmmaker, having brought us The Story of the Vegetable Man , The Referendum Day of Gibraltar and A Disability Matter of War . He has now directed this uplifting and inspiring story about how he strives to overcome the obstacles that life has put in his way. I’m Coming Home tells his extraordinary story, and includes interviews with the Prince’s Trust team and staff at the HQ of Cerebra, which supports families with a child with a challenging brain condition.
The Southend-on-Sea Film Festival will be returning for its 11th year from 23rd May to 27th May. In preparation for the event I got an opportunity to ask director Samuel Turner a few questions about what we can expect from his new documentary film I’m Coming Home which has been selected to play at the festival.
Q. What can we expect from your documentary film I’m Coming Home?
We get to show the audience that the film helps to explain the truth about myself.
Q. The documentary gives an insight into your struggles which you constantly have to overcome in everyday life due to your condition. Can you please explain a bit about your condition and how it affects you?
I not only have autism, but I also have ADHD behaviour along with asthma and glue ears.
Q. How did the idea for the film first come about?
It all started when I become a winner of the Under-16 Animation Awards in May 2012.
Q. How long was the process of bringing the film together?
The project was originally meant to be done in 2018, but since I had lots of work, the film was later completed in 2019 before it was submitted for Southend Film Festival.
Q. What was the hardest part of making the documentary and did you experience any difficulties whilst shooting?
Well even though all clips of me were archives and animation sequences, the actual filming was not really challenging to shoot during the making of the film.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during the making of the film?
The favourite moments in my film was when I got to feature the famous A3 Steam engine the “Flying Scotsman” in my 2nd story. I used to go on a ride on the train when I was young and my grandparents dreamed of experiencing a ride on the Flying Scotsman’s special train, but luck hasn’t come for them. So, this short story with the famous Steam locomotives, captures the moment for my grandparents and everyone who has never ridden or has not seen the Flying Scotsman in the film. If I ever got to ride on a steam train again, I’ll always pick this locomotive.
Q. What do you hope people will get from watching the film?
There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel for parents who has children with disabilities and with autism too.
Q. When you previously attended the Southend Film Festival you were selling a souvenir DVD of your two short films to raise money for the Cerebra charity. Will you be doing the same this year?
Probably not, but hopefully next time in the future when I feel up for presenting more awarenesses included in my films.
Q. Do you have any new projects which you are working on?
Hopefully I’ll be delighted to create more great films again soon.
Q. If someone is looking to direct own film, what advice would you give them?
If you want to be a great film director ever, always achieve what you believe in, even without autism, you got a heart of gold in you. Everyone can do it too when they put their hearts into it.
The Southend-on-Sea Film Festival runs from Thursday 23rd May to Monday 27th May. You can find out more about the event and purchase tickets on the website https://www.southendfilmfestival.com
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
