UN In Action Release Date: May 2016 Programme: 1516 Length: 4 25 Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Russian BENJAMIN ROSLOFF: LIVING WITH AUTISM VIDEO AUDIO BENJAMIN PLAYING THE CELLO MUSIC The song goes (6) PLAYING CELLO EDITING VIDEO Benjamin Rosloff surrounds himself with music (SOUND UP) and when he s not playing the cello he s making films. (7) Font: Benjamin Rosloff Filmmaker my father bought me my first camera when I was 14 years old. My biggest dream is to be a filmmaker, like a producer or director. (10) FILM FESTIVAL Benjamin has already shown his films at festivals around the world. (4)
- 2 - The first film that I did which was a documentary short which was called Can I Call You. It was about me trying to be in a relationship with someone who is not disabled. (9) GIRLS RESPOND BENJAMIN AT DOOR NATSOT Can I call you? (2) Yes. (1) Ben is indeed a remarkable young man who has been living with autism from birth. He s a 23-year-old living in New York with his parents. (11) AT OFFICE Ben is not alone. One percent of the world s population over 70 million people is living with autism. (7) EMPLOYEES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Some would refuse to let autistic people go to regular schools and parents fight about that. That s why it is important to know about their lives because even though disabled there are things that they can do. (14) GOING TO WORK Benjamin has just landed a job as an intern at New York City s Mayor s Office for People with Disabilities. (7)
- 3 - BEN AND JONATHAN WORKING Ben and his supervisor, Jonathan Novick, produce films to highlight people with disabilities who work for the municipality. (7) JONATHAN ON-CAM FONT: Jonathan Novick Media Manager JONATHAN NOVICK: (in English) M Ben is a lot of things. Ben is positive, Ben is friendly; he brings this very high level of energy and enthusiasm into his work. (12) I work here as a cameraman and editor. I travel with Jonathan Novick and together and we meet people with different disabilities. I do the recording on camera while Jonathan Novick does the interview. (15) RANDI AND BEN WORKING Randi Washington who is working with Ben helps keep him focused and on track. Watching films is one of Ben s favorite things in life and Randi is really impressed with Ben s encyclopedic knowledge. (13) RANDI ON-CAM Font: Randi Washington Job coach RANDI WASHINGTON: (In English) F It s amazing the stuff he remembers from the movies. And he s hard working. When given a task he wants to complete that task. I guess he s a perfectionist. (11)
- 4 - GOING TO THE UN Recently Ben contacted the United Nations and was invited to visit the organization. Today he s going to interview the Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon. (9) CONTROL ROOM Ben could have never imagined that one day he would have the opportunity to discuss with the Secretary-General, the pressing issues that affect billions of people worldwide. (11) INTERVIEW ON-GOING BAN KI-MOON: (In English) M Last December in Paris world leaders came and showed their commitment to keep global temperature rise below two degrees, if possible 1.5. Under this agreement we can cut emissions. (16) BENJAMIN Among the questions Ben asked, one was very close to his heart. (4) Why is autism an issue for the United Nations? (3) BAN KI-MOON ON-CAM CELLO BAN KI-MOON: (In English) M Some societies discriminate, shun people with autism. This is a terrible violation of Human Rights. The United Nations stands with all people with autism. (14)
- 5 - BEN AT THE UN Ben s resolve to work and produce films is an example to the millions of people with disabilities worldwide. He knows that anything is possible if you dream, and if you work hard your dreams can come true. (14) UN LOGO This report was produced by Michal Lopatniuk and Flaminia Bondi for the United Nations.