Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet will provide the English narration on “The Sunshine Boy,” a documentary exploring autism by Icelandic director Fridrik Thor Fridriksson.  The film is a first-person account by Frontier Filmworks producer Margret Dagmar Ericsdottir of her quest to understand her severely autistic, 11-year-old son Keli.

Fridriksson’s film explores the entire spectrum of autism, focusing on Ericsdottir’s mission as she meets with the world’s leading experts on the disease. The quest takes her to Austin, Texas, where she and her husband are astounded to see Keli’s mind unlocked by therapist Soma Mukhophadhyay.

Ericsdottir said about Winslet’s participation:

“I am delighted and honored that Kate agreed to do the narration. Her contribution plays an instrumental role in increasing awareness for autism, which many claim is the world’s fastest-growing epidemic.”

The Sunshine Boy will receive its world premiere in the Real To Reel section of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2009.  Featured musical performers will be Icelandic stars Bjork and Sigur Ros.

Seven years ago, I knew a bit about Autism, but because of Clay Aiken, I have been reading more about this puzzling condition.  I would imagine that Clay will see this movie and I hope he lets us know how he feels about it.  It sounds like a very touching movie.