Directed by Sam Ahern, Georgia Kumari Bradburn, Benjamin Brown, Steven Eastwood, Robin Elliot-Knowles and Lucy Walker. Created by a collective of neurodivergent filmmakers in an attempt to provide an alternative and artistic take on what it’s like to live with neurodivergence in a chaotic world not made for those who are different.
When making a documentary, remaining as true to the subject as possible is always going to be the best plan of action, so to have neurodivergent people both behind the camera and in front of it was a fantastic choice. The result is creating a film that’s empathetic, patient and filled with personality. One of the best examples is how it can feel random or unfocused but in a way that’s intentional, reflecting the experiences and the way that their subjects view the world. You can feel that effort to create a truly accurate representation and it’s very well done.
The filmmakers do particularly well to tap into the feeling of sensory overload and do so in a very creative manner. Most people will be able to appreciate how loud and discombobulating the outside world is today, even without being neurodivergent. The filmmakers each instil different qualities and styles into The Stimming Pool which have a lot to add to the experience. The simple shots do have plenty to say on their own but by layering on top of that, they personalise it even further to try and give you not just a view their world but also how they see it. It gives the film an unusual movement and intensity in a clever way, if it were a simple viewing experience, it wouldn’t have the same impact.
The use of animation is another great example of expanding the perspective and adding personality and individuality. As well as adding to the energy of the film overall which is charmingly chaotic. Although some segments are more successful than others and it feels as though there’s not much of an attempt to get to know the subjects. The filmmakers give us the understanding of how they experience the world but don’t really give us the chance to get to know them in a wider sense, of who they are beyond their neurodivergence. It can also feel like towards the end it’s more genuinely distracted, the artistic element begins to run away with itself.
The Stimming Pool is an inventive and unusual documentary giving audiences a view of the world through someone who is neurodivergent. It’s very purposeful yet playful and has a great deal of personality. It has a unique way of blending the different stories together and they work really well as both singular perspectives and a community. However, we’re not given much time to get to know the subjects outside of their neurodivergence to present a bigger picture and more rounded view of their lives. While the creative tools of the film are great, they do begin to take over towards the end, leaving the ending less impactful.
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