Bindings
Directors: Susan Pinchiaroli and Lucy Spahr
Crew:Executive Producer: Almudena Toral. Cinematographers: Susan Pinchiaroli, Lucy Spahr; Editors: Susan Pinchiaroli, Lucy Spahr Original Score : Katherine Beggs; Color Grading: Gabriella Miko
Email:bindingsdocumentary@gmail.com
Synopsis
When the Scranton family began making purses out of old books, they never imagined the small business would become a lifeline for their adult son, Christian, who is on the autism spectrum. Once a child struggling to be understood by his parents and teachers, Christian now finds purpose and community working alongside his parents, Kathleen and Dennis.
As his parents approach their mid-70s, the entire family must confront what Christian’s life will look like without his support system. As Christian looks to the future, he wonders if he can take over the family business. Bindings is a heartfelt look at a family sharing the emotional realities of lifelong caregiving, while revealing the love, hard work, and understanding that sustains it.
Trailer
About the directors
Susan Pinchiaroli - Susan Pinchiaroli is a documentary filmmaker and social media producer from New York. Her work explores themes of community, tradition, and family dynamics. In 2022, she directed, shot and edited “Stutz Bar,” a historical short documentary that screened at various venues and festivals such as The Loft Community Center, Yonkers Film Festival, where it won an Audience Choice Award, and Nyack International Film Festival, where it won Best Local Short Documentary.
Lucy Spahr - Lucy Spahr is a documentary filmmaker and video journalist from Chicago whose projects highlight the lives of fascinating individuals. She has edited videos for Katie Couric Media, contributed to long-form documentary projects, and produced short documentaries exploring family, culture, and the arts. She received a BA in Modern Culture & Media with honors from Brown University and an MS in Documentary Filmmaking from Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
Filmmakers' note
Both of us grew up with cousins with autism and saw our families have to make difficult decisions for their future. Meeting the Scranton family at a craft show, we were drawn to them because of their artful craft. Over the course of making this film, we found that their story reflected the similar frustrations our own families experienced. Though our film takes place in Connecticut, it depicts a larger but often unseen reality throughout the U.S of the challenges of navigating adulthood with autism.
We feel strongly that Christian’s story shows what is possible when a person with autism is given the proper resources and support to live a life of dignity and meaning. Through the thread of bookmaking, "Bindings" traces Christian's remarkable journey from childhood to present day.