After last year’s successful Sundance premiere, the award-winning documentary The Reason I Jump has finally made its way into virtual theaters. Directed by Jerry Rothwell and based on the book written by the young autistic artist Naoki Higashida when he was 13-years-old, The Reason I Jump celebrates the beauty of being different. Composer Nainita Desai further illustrates this sentiment in her companion music video “Beauty Is In The Detail,” exclusively premiering on Cinemacy.
The central theme of the film is communication and all of its interpretative forms. With this in mind, Nainita’s biggest challenge was illustrating and amplifying what it feels like to be autistic. Nainita successfully communicates intense sensory worlds into song by using orchestral strings, custom-made instruments, electronics, and found sound.
“The song represents the beauty of the neuro-diverse world and how the characters perceive the detail in objects before seeing the whole picture unfold before them,” says Nainita. Plus, to keep the soundtrack inclusive and authentic to the film, Nainita reached out to Elisabeth Wiklander, a cellist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra who is autistic as well as a cultural ambassador for the National Autistic Society. Daniel Pioro (Phantom Thread) is the featured violinist on the track.
Nainita’s contribution to the film continues to gain accolades from industry professionals. Most recently, she was recognized by the British Independent Film Awards and Cinema Eye Honors with best score nominations.
The soundtrack to The Reason I Jump will be released by the London-based label Mercury KX on April 16, 2021.
