Film / dyslexia
A film set in 1970s Westbury-on-Trym raises awareness about dyslexia
A film set in 1970s Westbury-on-Trym has been viewed more than one million times on YouTube.
Mical follows the story of a seven-year-old boy and his mother as he navigates the world with dyslexia.
Mike Jones, who cannot read or write in the 20-minute film, is diagnosed with dyslexia but when teachers continue to fail him, his mother, Pat, advocates for her son to be able to reach his full potential.
is needed now More than ever
Pat went on to set up dyslexia schools, founded the Dyslexia Trust, based in Clifton, and received an OBE in 2015 for her work.
Mike went on to found Nessy Learning with his mother, an international education company based on Baldwin Street helping children with dyslexia.
The film was released in September 2020 and has recently been nominated at the LA Shorts International Film Festival.
“I was at a charity event for the British Dyslexia Association where my mum, Pat Jones, was receiving a lifetime award for services to dyslexia,” says Mike, who is now 52 and lives in Clifton.
“We met the film director Yewweng Ho and his partner, Gordon Lewis, the film’s producer who also has dyslexia. They planned to make a documentary about dyslexia, and I offered to help.”
Pat Jones, played by Jayne Lunn, was awarded an OBE in 2015 for her advocacy. Photo: Silverprince Pictures
Mike and Pat’s tale became the focus of the film, which was created by the team behind Secret Child, which won more than 20 awards.
“People assume dyslexia is being addressed but in reality, it isn’t,” Mike adds.
“We want people to realise the pain that parents and children go through but also to give them hope that dyslexic children can learn to read and write. They just need to be taught in a different way. The film is about my struggle.”
While he knew the film, set more than 40 years ago, in 1977, was powerful, it struck a chord with many in the dyslexia community, Mike was surprised at how quickly the film gained a million views.
The creators of the film, along with Mike and Pat, hope that Mical will inspire change, especially in schools.
Between ten and 20 per cent of people have dyslexia, but they say many are left unsupported as there is no legal requirement for dyslexia-specialised teachers.
“All these children are being let down,” says Mike. “We hope that the film will help bring about these changes: every school has at least one qualified dyslexia specialist, that all teacher training colleges prepare teachers to recognise and support dyslexia and for all children to be screened from the age of five and anyone who might be at risk, to get immediate support.
“This will stop the emotional damage that is being inflicted on so many children.”
Main photo: Silverprince Pictures
Read more: Big ambitions for award-winning film set in 1980s Hartcliffe
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