Showing posts with label disability in film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disability in film. Show all posts

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Director James Cameron Called to Start Disability Conversation

Readers, I want to share with you an article by Anna Mai Bertelsen, who blogged today about “Why James Cameron Should Start of Conversation on Disabilities” on today’s Huffington Post. Ms. Bertelsen posits that societally, we engage in a “don’t’ ask, don’t’ tell” de facto policy about disabilities that creates such an encompassing avoidance of things disability that people with disabilities are sidelined from a many if not most of the opportunities that enrich the lives of people without disabilities. She then calls on James Cameron, director of the blockbuster movie Avatar, an action-hero movie in which a character with paraplegia is the lead, to start a conversation about disability and break through the “don’t ask, don’t tell” barrier.

Ms. Bertelsen closes with a challenge the director to “…do something about the lack of chatter. Start it. You have the stage. Break our own version of "don't ask, don't tell." Share your story of creating a solution. Encourage the audience and your Hollywood counterparts to be part of the conversation. Talk to us. Look at us. Ask questions. And, then, let's innovate, invest and include.”

LINK: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-mai-bertelsen/why-james-cameron-should_b_487160.html


Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Thunder Heard ‘Round the World

Disability rights and advocacy group protests about Ben Stiller’s new movie, “Tropic Thunder” continue to splash headlines in major news outlets around the U.S. Now, news sources around the world are also reporting the story! Here is a very small sample:

From the United Kingdom:
“Ben Stiller and Tom Cruise's Tropic Thunder 'Offensive to the Disabled'”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2545958/Ben-Stiller-and-Tom-Cruises-Tropic-Thunder-offensive-to-the-disabled.html

From Canada:
“Tropic Thunder and Other Recent Cinematic Boycotts”
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2008/08/12/tropic-thunder-and-the-greatest-cinematic-boycotts-of-all-time.aspx

From Moldova (near Romania)
Disability Advocacy Groups to Protest Tropic Thunder Premiere
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2008/08/11/protest-tropicthunder.html?ref=rss

From Malaysia:
Tropic Thunder Disability Controversy
http://www.star-ecentral.com/movies/buzz/buzz.asp?file=archives/buzz/2008/8/7TropicThun&date=8/7/2008&title=Tropic%20Thunder%20disability%20controversy


Plan a Star Boycott— Do you want to know which Hollywood A-list stars attended the TT premiere? Check out this Monsters and Critics photo feature:
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/movies/features/article_1423480.php/In_photos_Tropic_Thunder_Los_Angeles_Premiere

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

DreamWorks, Stiller’s Tropic Thunder “Retard” Offends

05 August 2008

The about-to-be-released Ben Stiller flick “Tropic Thunder” includes offensive remarks about people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and a character named “Simple Jack”. Movie marketing materials refer to him as a “retard”. The movie also features a character in blackface. Disability rights groups are protesting and DreamWorks executives will meet with disability advocates this Wednesday. A DreamWorks Chief Executive says, “I’m proud of the movie. It is hysterically funny. I do think it’s got its heart in the right place.” Tropic Thunder is rated “R”. In addition to stars Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr., Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte, and Tom Cruise also appear in the film.
SOURCES:
"Dreamworks to Meet With Disability Groups" http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/arts/05artsDREAMWORKSTO_BRF.html?ref=arts
"Ben Stiller - Stiller Movie in Disability Row"