Best Kept Secret

Best Kept Secret is a captivating and tremendously moving documentary from the year 2013. It's a film that follows the struggles and challenges of a special education teach, Janet Mino, who is working in the most unconventional and hostile environments - Newark, New Jersey's, John F. Kennedy High School. The film first introduces us to the school's unique environment, one packed with students facing severe autism.

Featured among the starring cast of this film are the exceptional Alyce Barnhardt, Carla Byrd, and Robert Caspar, who bring forward their impactful performances. They play crucial roles that greatly contribute to the emotional essence and deep humanity central to this film's narrative.

At the heart of this story is Mino, who has devoted six years to teaching and preparing her students for life after high school. The filmmaker captures a critical period of transition where Janet and her students, approaching the legal age of 21, are compelled to depart the institution, leaving the secure confines of public education to pack into the intimidating uncertainty that comes with adulthood and the real world.

This milestone for the students is not only a major turning point in their lives but a moment of bitter-sweet reflection for Mino too. Soon, she realizes that her students, upon leaving the school, lack a formidable support system and adequate resources to sustain in the adult world. Even as they're teetering on the verge of adulthood, their mental conditions make everyday life a challenging ordeal, and Mino grows increasingly concerned about their wellbeing outside the secure walls of the educational institution.

This moving tale is portrayed through a poignant blend of emotional interviews, private observations, and uplifting classroom scenes, creating a deeply immersive narrative that nudges viewers to contemplate the true essence of education and care for adults with special needs. It effectively captures the perpetual struggles, from navigating the labyrinthine bureaucracy of social services to seeking stable jobs to accessing public transportation independently.

The film puts forth an emotional query: What happens when the school bus stops coming to pick up these special needs students? It emphasizes the importance of "life skills," which is often overlooked as an essential component of the curriculum, particularly for those with autism. The director puts the spotlight on society's shortcomings and the prevalent indifference towards these individuals with special needs.

While highlighting the struggle, the film also takes brilliant strides in celebrating the triumphs of these individuals - their ability to learn, adapt, and grow despite their conditions, and the undying spirit of an educator who refuses to give up on them.

Alyce Barnhardt and Carla Byrd grace the screen with powerful performances, portraying the harsh realities and challenges faced by the characters, managing to convey these depths of emotion while keeping the spirit and message of the film in balance. Robert Caspar imparts a stoic charm to the film, adding a riveting layer of intensity and drama. The chemistry between the actors is a genuine representation of the bonds that form in these trying conditions.

Overall, Best Kept Secret proves to be an honest and sensitive portrayal of the struggles facing young adults with autism and the systemic failings they encounter. It is a stark reminder that every individual deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and live independently. More importantly, the film accentuates the vital role educators play in shaping and securing the future for these kids.

Wrapped around a heart-wrenching narrative that nudges one to deep thinking, Best Kept Secret presents a moving exploration into a topic that demands our attention, compassion, and action. It won't be wrong to conclude that the film is not just a viewing experience, but also an eye-opening and transformative journey that leaves the audience touched and inspired.