The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
ON THE BIG SCREEN
Oneida-born actress releases film on autism
SEATTLE, WA >> Oneida-born actress Jan D’arcy is continuing her 50-year acting career with the recent release of “The Sound of Violet.” The film is a romantic comedy about Shawn, a man who believes he has found his soulmate in Violet. But Shawn has autism, and his disability keeps him from realizing Violet’s a prostitute looking to leave the profession.
Autism Spectrum Disorder, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.
D’arcy plays Shawn’s mother, Ruth, who helps her son find his way through life.
“I think it’s a worthwhile film that will help shed light on what it means to have autism,” D’arcy said.
“The Sound of Violet” is available on Vudu, Prime Video, or Apple TV on any Roku device. It’s also available on Google Play, itunes, and Amazon Instant Video.
D’arcy may best be known for playing Sylvia Horne in four episodes of “Twin Peaks,” a popular TV show that aired on ABC from 1989 through 1991. Her character appeared in the very first and also the final episodes.
Sylvia Horne was married to Benjamin Horne owner of the Great Northern Hotel and Horne’s Department Store and the richest man in Twin Peaks.
Sylvia Horne is distant from her daughter Audrey. D’arcy’s character focused most of her attention on her mentally disabled son, Johnny, much like she does with Shawn in “The Sound of Violet.”
Sylvia is onscreen for a total of four minutes over the four episodes, and in that time her character is frustrated with life and with caring for her son.
During the show’s run, D’arcy worked with David Lynch, a prolific film and TV director whose credits include “Eraserhead,” the 1984 version of “Dune” and “Blue Velvet.”
“David was a wonderful man to work with,” D’arcy said. “I was asked to return to Twin Peaks when they had a follow-up film, ‘Twin Peaks: Come Fire Walk with Me,’ in 1992. David was so kind it was impossible to say no. But then they had David Bowie come in, and they cut my part. But I was glad to work with David Lynch again.”
D’arcy later appeared in two episodes of the followup series on Showtime in 2017.
D’arcy has also appeared in “The X Files” and the 1993 film “Alive.” During her career, she has appeared in 35 films and TV shows.
D’arcy was born in Oneida on June 18, 1939, the daughter of George and Agnes Baltusnik, and was raised in Munnsville. She now lives in Washington State and has dual U.s./canadian citizenship.
“I think I may still have family around Oneida, but my life is out here now,” she said.