The animated short film What is Dyslexia?, directed by Kyra Bartley, kicks off with a little girl named Lola (Hope Day) who is in a library by herself while her parents are having a serious conversation with a teacher or principal. She decides to do a Google search for “what is dyslexia?” As with kids who do the search in real life, the terrifying words “disability” and “lifelong learning disorder” are the first things that she sees.
Her world crumbles, and giant letters fall as she descends down a black hole. The abstract artwork of the film captures the beauty despite the sadness of the search results. Jeremy Irons appears as “The Inventor,” explaining that dyslexic thinkers have brains that work a bit differently, and some of them create masterpieces or become great storytellers.
The director (Liv Tyler) also imparts wisdom. Next thing you know, Lola is knocking out legendary boxer Muhammad Ali (Jaalen Best) while the crowd chants her name.
“[Lola] decides to do a Google search for ‘what is dyslexia?'”
What is Dyslexia? is made with vivid colors, uplifting music (by Lorne Balfie) and imagination, and many of the artists behind it have dyslexia (as we are told with an emotional jolt in the end credits). It ends with Lola searching again, except with a new answer to what is dyslexia? “A brilliant and different way of thinking.”
The filmmakers made What is Dyslexia? with the noblest of intentions: to replace the pessimistic search results with something that kids can feel good about. I love this message and the film. Beautiful minds create amazing art.
Learn more (and watch the film) at the official What is Dyslexia? website.
"…beautiful minds create amazing art."
