Screen time
April 23, 2009 by Jill Cornfield
Filed under Health
Next week Jeff and I are planning to catch a few movies at the Sprout Film Festival, an annual showing of movies portraying people with developmental disabilities. “People with developmental disabilities as subjects and performers remain marginalized in film and television,” the organizers believe. “This festival aims to raise their profile by showcasing works related to this population.”
Last year I gave a talk about portrayals of people with developmental disabilities in mainstream Hollywood movies (”Rain Man,” “Pumpkin,” “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?,” “I am Sam” — I have a very long list) and how they mostly don’t get it. One movie I haven’t seen but which I think is smart and sensitive is being shown at Sprout this year, which is unusual since they mostly show documentaries or feature films made by people with disabilities.
“The Eighth Day” stars Pascal Duquenne, a Belgian actor with Down Syndrome.
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Through Chun Wong I found out that AMC has paired with Autism Society of America to present monthly viewings of movies for families with special needs kids. I love this idea. We’ve taken Alex to a couple of movies (not his favorite form of entertainment since theyrequire a) sitting still and b) enjoying something new) and it was sort of OK. His teacher has been more successful mostly because Alex doesn’t put on the same show for her benefit that he puts on for us.
In addition to the $6 ticket price the movies are usually at 10 in the morning, a perfect time to enjoy a children’s movie and not spend your whole day doing it. Besides, I don’t care if it’s going to be stupid. I want to see Night at the Museum 2.
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Every now and then I dream Alex can talk. Really talk. We have a conversation; he tells me how he’s feeling. I never really remember what we talk about. Only that we talk. And that in the dream I’m aware of a feeling of a deep relief. Thank god. That long period of not communicating is over.
Apparently I’m not the only one who has that dream. These are the comments of other parents on Cafemom who also have it. I feel bad complaining sometimes, because another thread talked about what you wished your child could say. Many moms longed to hear “I love you” and “Mommy” and “Mama.” I’ve heard all those, and they were thrilling. I just wish Alex could tell me what he’s thinking now and then.
Image: Amazon
Jill, great post! I agree that most “disability” movies really don’t get it right at all. Probably in part because most of the time the actors don’t actually have disabilities. Could this be analogous the mercifully archaic practice of having white actors portray black and Asian characters? There are, after all, plenty of talented actors with developmental disabilities, actors like Pascal Duquenne.