The Real Meaning of Pleasure

The Real Meaning of Pleasure tackles diverse social issues surrounding autism, illness, mental health, and the intersection of aging and youth. The film encourages intergenerational conversations around mental health through the lens of “pleasure” and one exceptional family’s journey of reconnection, demonstrating that it’s never too late to redefine and change your life for the better.

We rarely see a film where an older autistic man with terminal cancer regains his love for life on camera, or where platonic autistic family love is highlighted. Our goal is to spark intergenerational conversations about navigating an accessible neurotypical world. We want autistic individuals, both young and old, to feel seen and understood. By showcasing a young person’s love for an older neurodiverse family member, we hope to combat the isolation often felt by neurodiverse people, showing them that they are not alone.

Our primary goal with this film is to raise awareness and educate viewers about the unique experiences of neurodiverse individuals, particularly older and isolated adults. We aim to shed light on the often overlooked and misunderstood aspects of their lives, fostering a deeper understanding among both neurotypical and neurodiverse audiences. Through the portrayal of an older autistic man with terminal cancer and the platonic love within his family, we seek to promote empathy, connection and conversation. By humanizing these experiences, we hope to bridge the gap between different perspectives, encouraging viewers to see beyond stereotypes and truly understand the complexities of neurodiverse lives. Our hope is to contribute to a legacy of authentic representation in media, challenging existing narratives and expanding the conversation around neurodiversity. By doing so, we aim to create lasting impact and inspire a more compassionate and understanding world.

From our Director, Laneikka Denne: Wayne and Cathy are my family, and showcasing autistic people like us on screen, along with our unique ways of understanding each other’s emotions, will be incredibly healing for the neurodiverse community. It was profound to capture the second time I’d ever met Wayne and the first time in 25 years that my mom had seen him. This film isn’t just a project; it’s a journey of reconnection, with Cathy and Wayne fully embracing the process. The filming served as a means to bond and rediscover each other as a family. In real time, you’ll witness a neurodiverse family finding a common language and rebuilding their relationship. The story is driven by my desire to give Wayne a reason to live, to heal from the trauma of ableist hatred in 1960s Australia, and to help my mom and Wayne reconnect. As a neurodiverse person, sharing our authentic story warms my heart and emphasizes the importance of letting neurodiverse people tell their own stories. My passion for improving Wayne’s life is the lifeblood of this film, which aims to spark intergenerational conversations and showcase the power of family reconnection.

The film encourages self-care for mental health in a neurotypical world and explores the concept of pleasure and self-care, hoping to inspire the neurodiverse community to transform their lives and wellbeing. Our director, Laniekka Denne, is a high-functioning young queer neurodiverse filmmaker with chronic depression and BPD, bringing empathy and lived experience to this film. We hope that by seeing themselves represented on screen, neurodiverse youth and elders will find the courage to overcome challenges and embrace change, just like our main character Wayne.”