Over the Hills and Far Away

Over the Hills and Far Away explores one family’s unforgettable journey as they travel halfway across the world in search of a miracle to heal their autistic son. This sweeping and emotionally charged story embodies the openness and faith the Isaacson family places in the possibility of trying something extraordinary. Rowan was born in 2001, seven years after his parents met while touring India. His father, Rupert, a British journalist and human-rights activist, and his mother, Kristin, a psychology professor from suburban California, felt the world was their oyster. After their son was diagnosed with autism in 2004, their perfect life began to fall apart. They tried conventional therapies, diets, and medication, all to no avail. Rupert had witnessed the potency of traditional healing and discovered that his son had a special bond with horses. He researched and found a place that combined horseback riding and shamanic healing—Mongolia. The next step was convincing his wife they should take their son to Ulaanbaatar and travel on horseback, searching for the elusive reindeer herders and the most powerful shaman in the country. Accompanied by Rupert's honest narration, this rich film blends footage from the family's adventure through the Mongolian countryside with scenes from their life at home in Texas. Bolstered by testimony from autism experts, including Dr. Temple Grandin, this compelling film exquisitely captures an astonishing physical and spiritual journey.
CAST

Michel Orion Scott - Michel Orion Scott draws much of his inspiration from the study of native cultures, Indigenous crafts, and a desire to connect with all humanity through wilderness studies. Traveling from Bolivia to Namibia, Mexico to Mongolia, his films reveal how moved he is by simple human relationships and family dynamics, while his background in dance is reflected by his focus on the way movement and framing create metaphors in film.

Screenings:

Sat. Jan 17 3:00 p.m. - OVERT17TA Temple Theatre, Park City
Sun. Jan 18 9:15 p.m. - OVERT184N Holiday Village Cinema IV, Park City
Mon. Jan 19 10:30 p.m. - OVERT19BN Broadway Centre Cinemas IV, SLC
Thu. Jan 22 9:00 a.m. - OVERT22TM Temple Theatre, Park City
Sat. Jan 24 3:00 p.m. - OVERT24TA Temple Theatre, Park City