From Omeleto.
A young man likes bats.
BAT BOY is used with permission from Aaron Lemle. Learn more at https://batboyfilm.com.
Andre is a young man on the autism spectrum who has a great joy and passion for observing the bats roosting under a local highway overpass in East L.A. He loves learning about them, drawing them; he cares for them deeply.
When the bats suddenly vanish, Andre enlists the help of a respected bat biologist to investigate their disappearance. The scientist is initially dismissive and cynical about Andre’s efforts, but as she and Andrew work together, they discover a hidden and devastating cause behind the bats’ disappearance that also challenges Andre’s resilience.
Directed and written by Aaron Lemle, this deeply empathetic short drama follows the quest of a neurodivergent young man who seeks to save the bats he loves. Immersing viewers immediately in Andre’s point of view, we see the creatures through his eyes, as well as the profound peace and joy he feels with them. When they disappear, he is distraught. Initially despondent, he is then propelled into action to bring them back. That journey becomes an odyssey for both Andre and the viewers, as he discovers more about bats, the value they bring to an ecosystem and the dangers they face in an increasingly challenging environment.
The film’s tenor is gentle and measured, from the soft colors and tones of the cinematography to the feathery washes of ambient electronic musical flourishes that make up the score to the watery echoes in the sound design that gesture to how Andre loses himself at moments in his world. The storytelling is as much about the sensory experience of Andre’s perspective as it is about the events of the narrative, which follows the thread of Andre’s investigation and crosses his path with that of an increasingly cynical biologist, who is feeling burned out after years of advocacy.
As Andre, actor Domonique Brown, who is on the autism spectrum, is eminently watchable and compelling, beautifully conveying the wonderment and belonging he feels with his bats and the distress when they disappear. Those moments of sincerity and passion form the emotional core that grounds us in his story, and they also win over the biologist, played by actor Khandi Alexander with groundedness and wariness. Andre’s seemingly naive care and devotion affect everyone around him — as well as the environment and world around him.
Though wrapped in storytelling that is poised yet unassuming, BAT BOY has ambitious themes about the environment, human stewardship and the ecology that exists, even in urban environments, educating us about a misunderstood and often persecuted species. It also champions diverse representation of those on the autism spectrum, integrating Andre’s autism organically within the story as both a challenge and strength. But what makes it moving is its emotional core of kindness and tenderness. Through Andre’s singular perspective, we are reminded of the beauty of creatures great and small, the importance of respectful co-existence and the power of love to make an impact.
