Logan-made documentary celebrates the ordinary and the extraordinary
What if you could remember everything you ever said, did and experienced?
What if everyone in your family lived with a disability?
A documentary screening soon at the Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct explores such a family – the Sharrock-Barnes family, from Hillcrest.
This blended family of neuro-diverse people navigating life, love and all its messiness are profiled in Because We Have Each Other, which premiered on 30 April at the Hot Docs Festival in Canada.
The family will return from its international premiere for the Logan screening on 13 May, which will be followed by a 30-minute question and answer session with the family.
Central to the story is Becky Sharrock, one of just 80 people in the world with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) – meaning she can easily remember even the most minute details of her life.
Her family members live with a range of conditions including autism and dyslexia. Her 4 brothers and sisters, ranging in age from 21 to 33, live with their parents Janet and Brent.
The family is delighted with the documentary.
‘It’s amazing that we can get to share and show who we are and shine in our home city,’ Janet says.
Brent, who runs a spray-painting business in Underwood, agrees.
‘We are proud to be showing the lives of people with disabilities in our area,’ he says.
It’s a story filled with heart, with themes familiar to many: too many pets, too many bills, neuro-diversity – and lots of love.
Because We Have Each Other will screen at a ticketed event from 1 pm to 3 pm on 13 May in the Butterbox Theatre in the Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct. The 89-minute long documentary will be followed by a 30-minute facilitated discussion among family members and director Sari Braithwaite..
There will also be a Logan Artworkers Networking Event including a free industry panel discussion following the Q+A.
Seed funding for the film was provided through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) which is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Logan City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
Bookings for the film screening are essential and can be made at Because We Have Each Other – LoganARTS.
