Shared experiences drew filmmakers Bella Zoe Martinez and Sue Ann Pien together, including their journeys of growing up identifying as autistic. Both artists grew up watching movies but never felt fully connected with the characters they saw on the big screen. “I just never recognized myself,” is how Martinez explains that particular situation.

Creating Representation in Once More, Like Rain Man

At just 18, Martinez set about creating a character based loosely on herself, along with situations that might resonate with the wider global ASD community. The result is the often-hilarious short film Once More, Like Rain Man, written by Martinez, who also stars, and directed by Pien. 

Since its world premiere at the LA Shorts International Film Festival in July, the film has been a hit with audiences and critics alike, winning awards at the festival, NoHo Cinefest, and IndieX Film. The filmmakers have also submitted their movie to next year’s edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival, which is set to be held in April, 2025, in the hope that audiences in Asia can also warm to its many charms.

Challenging Stereotypes in the Film Industry

Once More, Like Rain Man features a simple premise—an aspiring actress (Martinez) navigating auditions across Los Angeles while seeking her big break. However, she often finds her opportunities overshadowed by stereotypes, with roles limited by how the industry presents neurodivergent characters, if they are presented at all. Martinez’s script and performance are both thought-provoking and very funny as her character rolls with the punches life throws at her, while behind the cameras, Pien shows a deft hand in allowing the narrative to flow and sparkle with humor.

The Personal Impact of Autism on Filmmaking

The film was born from their need to tell such stories and increase understanding of the ASD community. When the pair spoke to OPTISM via video call from Los Angeles, they quickly shared how personal the experience of making Once More, Like Rain Man has been. “I'm a girl of autism, and that's not exactly a common thing to see on camera,” says Martinez. 

“The more I noticed this, the more I was wondering why that is. Isn’t storytelling supposed to have different types of characters from all sorts of places? Storytelling is supposed to bring together different types of people, different types of experiences, different types of places. I know people are misinformed, and they just own what they see as an archetype. But does autism really have a specific look?”

Cultural Stigmas Surrounding Autism

Both Martinez and Pien say they grew up unsure of themselves in a society that never seemed to know where to place them, a notion that should resonate across Asia. “You know, my parents are Chinese, so there's quite a bit of stigma around issues like mental illness, and what's perceived as that,” says Pien. 

The Importance of Diverse Narratives in Storytelling

Pien learned early on to “act normal,” but as she matured, she found the freedom to simply be herself. As an actress, she recently captured attention through her role as Violet Wu in the groundbreaking American TV series As We See It, which featured autistic actors playing autistic characters. 

“We've come a long way, and I think it's important to see a full spectrum of what autism can look like, not only in the United States, but in Hong Kong and everywhere,” she says.

Future Aspirations for Once More, Like Rain Man

As its title suggests, Once More, Like Rain Man nods to what’s arguably the first international blockbuster to feature a lead character with autism, as portrayed by Dustin Hoffman, who won one of the film’s four Oscars for his role. However, the depiction of autism by Hoffman is far removed from the experiences of many in the ASD community. 

As Pien points out, the world is still discovering what that phrase truly means. “I think we have no clue,” she says. “So I think it's really important to give voice to the lived experience of all people with autism.”

For Martinez, there are hopes of expanding her work into a full-length feature. She notes that humor has often been the best way to face life's challenges. “Well, humor - that's something I took from my own family, because if you don't laugh at some things, you're just gonna start crying,” she says.