Disability Representation in Film
In 2020, film industries will continue to direct their films, movies, and TV movies with false depictions of individuals with disabilities. It is hard to assume if the actors are indeed disabled in reality or just during sets with the naked eye. In most cases, the audience is mainly concentrated on watching the show and may not notice when an actor in the show is depicting a person wrongly outside of socially constructed beliefs, especially the characters who are disabled and the actor playing that role. People with disabilities who are performers tend to get rejected by opportunities to represent themselves in film. Today and onwards as advocates and educators, we should allow more diversity in film, the same amount other underrepresented communities are allowed the opportunity in film. To not be bystanders when we see something wrong that may discriminate against people with disabilities in film, but also other aspects as well.
Examples of films with false depictions of people of disabilities:
#1 Description: Jake Sully, a character in Avatar (shown in the below poster on the left), has a history of having Spinal Cord Injury leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. The actor who played Jake Sully is named Sam Worthington, who has no history of having Spinal Cord Injuries (for more:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0941777/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm). As Avatar was a great hit in the movie industry, it might have been very cool if they had a person who actually has a Spinal Cord Injury in real life to represent themselves and present authenticity when portraying people with disabilities.
#2 Description: Elisa Esposito, a character in The Shape of Water (shown in the poster on the right ), has a history of being mute or unable to talk and works at a secret government laboratory in Baltimore at the height of the Cold War. The actor who played Elisa Esposito is named Sally Hawkins who has a history of having a disability called Lupus. However, she has no experience with performing ASL and speech difficulties compared to someone who does.
It might have been very cool if they had a person who actually has experience with ASL and has difficulty speaking in real life to represent themselves and present authenticity when portraying people with disabilities.
Examples of films with true depictions of people with disabilities:
#1 Description: a film that changed perspectives about people with disabilities and eliminate some form of discrimination and isolation back in the 1970s which explains the changes towards the laws for people with disabilities at present day. The film shows stories from different people with a variety of disabilities from all across the globe, but still lots to explore. The director Jim LeBrecht himself experiences a life as someone who has a disability which gives this film great representation of authenticity among people with disabilities. More information about the film: https://cripcamp.com/ and refer to the educational guide made on the film on our website.
#2 Description: a film that changed perspectives about people with disabilities when it comes to love and intimacy. Not only that enables many people to see people with disabilities as everyone else who can pursue their goal, and hopefully, we can normalize such thought moving forward. In the film, Izzie Simmons uses a wheelchair who meets a lovely man who matches her description in her romance book during Christmas, is played by Ali Stroker who is indeed also in a wheelchair outside from what is depicted in the film (more information: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4706602/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm).
Next steps?
The next time you watch a movie consider if the actor is playing a role that is themselves in real life as a fun educational activity among friends. Keep in mind not everything you see in the outer perspective depicts the experiences that people with disabilities go through. As everyone's situation may differ depending on the severity and obstacles they face in their lifetime.