An important insight into the difficult world of autism spectrum disorder with a sprinkle of delightful magic realism, Pennywort is the touching tale of a woman who finds comfort in the escapism of art.

​

We are greeted with a melancholic looking Freya walking through a woodland. She is the main character in this piece, who is coming to terms with her diagnosis of autism, played by director Rebekah Fortune’s daughter, Elinor. This close family bond on screen would have certainly aided the process of getting this film made as you would imagine the actress and director are very in tune with each other.

​

Though the acting is sometimes a little weak, the scene at the café and the party is highly effective in showcasing Freya’s internal struggles. The build-up of tension in both these scenes is dramatic and grabs hold of our attention to the point where you are truly hooked in.

​

Olivia Rose Aaron who plays Beth, Freya’s best friend, is a strong actress despite not being on screen for long. The aesthetic choices of the short are captivating with Beth’s vibrant blue hair, pink lipstick and green eyeshadow. A stark contrast to Freya’s brown and autumnal outfits.

​

Pennywort is also about the celebration of art. Freya finds her escapism in her artwork, going on to create a whole world in her head depicting the murky Lincolnshire fens. How her drawings become animated is almost enchanting and creates a positive message of the power of imagination and creativity. This was one of the main insights which made the film so enjoyable to cover.

The overall acting could have been better in parts, but mostly this short sets out what it intends to do; spread disability awareness of the complexities of coping with autism spectrum disorder and open the viewer’s imaginations into the wonders that art and creativity can do for those who otherwise struggle to express themselves.

​

Pennywort certainly floats determinedly above the surface of the waters like the aquatic plant itself, having been noticed by the Visibility Film Festival 2021 as being awarded ‘Best Script’. This achievement certainly shows in this short, and there is no doubt that Fortune should be proud with such an important project.