Film No. 5 (2021) January 11th. 6:45 PM EVENT CINEMAS No. 4, Innaloo.
"You can't have me unless you love me" (The lyrics of one of Sia's 10 new songs written for Music).
Australian international artist Sia is best known for her 2014 hitChandelier. She has now created a fascinating small film, Music, whichis already creating a large storm even before its major release. The trailer has raised the ire of Autism associations world wide because of the casting of the films co-lead, a dancer, Maddie Ziegler. I've not seen any criticism of Kate Hudson playing Music's detoxed sister and nor should there be. Hudson is amazing considering her 42 years. She could easily be an older sister in her late twenties.
Surely Sia can do as she pleases. It's her film. Her creation using her finances. The fact that dance sequences in Music form the spine of this visual feast, makes the choice of Ziegler as Music inevitable. The dance routines, depicted in clip form, are the highlight of the film. So, if you are buying a ticket to get a 90 minute feature with a traditional story with all the trimmings, then you may be disappointed.
The premise of the story has substance, only that's not what is fleshed out. The cleverness of the film lies in it being a punchy album of eightor so clips with the continuity being the fact it is told through the eyes of a character with non verbal autism. And it stands up. It just may be that punters will either be disappointed, or pleasantly uplifted by its uniqueness. I was definitely one of the latter. And I feel sure Sia is extremely respectful of the fact anybody has the right to express their opinion, however narrow that view might be. 8GUMS.
Slightly disappointed on the lack of any commentary of the stereotypical and potentially harmful/misleading portrayals of groups, notably autistic people...
Sia can do what she wishes, but she should understand she won’t receive the support of the autistic community for her harmful misrepresentation of autistic people. That’s what it comes down to. As an autistic person, I can promise that regardless of the visual qualities of the movie, ignoring autistic people and insisting on misrepresenting us including many stereotypes and a clear lack of research is harmful to all of us.
Sia can do what she wishes, but she should understand she won’t receive the support of the autistic community for her harmful misrepresentation of autistic people. That’s what it comes down to. As an autistic person, I can promise that regardless of the visual qualities of the movie, ignoring autistic people and insisting on misrepresenting us including many stereotypes and a clear lack of research is harmful to all of us.
Just from the preview, it made me question whether Sia consulted with any speech therapist, occupational therapist, social workers etc. Sia claimed that she did this movie for the autism community, however didn't take said community into consideration. Firstly, autism is on a spectrum so she could have hired a high functioning actor with autism to play the role of Music. Secondly, the method of prone restraint is outdated and downright dangerous. Had she consulted with professionals (not autism speaks), she would have learned that what helps for several individuals during a meltdown is decreasing sensory stimuli (decrease lighting, sounds, smell etc) not pinning them down on the floor and restaining them with your body weight. This brings forth my last point that the music video scene is 100% sensory overload. Those scenes may cause a sensory overload for a person with autism with sensory overresponsiveness. which may cause a meltdown. So yes, she can do as she pleases with her own movie, but also understand why the autism community is appalled by it.
And I do respect all of the views put here on my blog. If you feel aggrieved at the film then you have every right to. There was a contingent of people with autism of varying ranges on the spectrum. They all seem to really enjoy the film. That is the great thing about film. It can stir ones emotions. I've heard nothing from Sia where she denigrates autism and those who have autism. She made a film .... some people were offended. Everyone has a right to an opinion. It's all a part of living in a healthy world.
Slightly disappointed on the lack of any commentary of the stereotypical and potentially harmful/misleading portrayals of groups, notably autistic people...
ReplyDeleteSia can do what she wishes, but she should understand she won’t receive the support of the autistic community for her harmful misrepresentation of autistic people. That’s what it comes down to. As an autistic person, I can promise that regardless of the visual qualities of the movie, ignoring autistic people and insisting on misrepresenting us including many stereotypes and a clear lack of research is harmful to all of us.
ReplyDeleteSia can do what she wishes, but she should understand she won’t receive the support of the autistic community for her harmful misrepresentation of autistic people. That’s what it comes down to. As an autistic person, I can promise that regardless of the visual qualities of the movie, ignoring autistic people and insisting on misrepresenting us including many stereotypes and a clear lack of research is harmful to all of us.
ReplyDelete.
ReplyDeleteJust from the preview, it made me question whether Sia consulted with any speech therapist, occupational therapist, social workers etc. Sia claimed that she did this movie for the autism community, however didn't take said community into consideration. Firstly, autism is on a spectrum so she could have hired a high functioning actor with autism to play the role of Music. Secondly, the method of prone restraint is outdated and downright dangerous. Had she consulted with professionals (not autism speaks), she would have learned that what helps for several individuals during a meltdown is decreasing sensory stimuli (decrease lighting, sounds, smell etc) not pinning them down on the floor and restaining them with your body weight. This brings forth my last point that the music video scene is 100% sensory overload. Those scenes may cause a sensory overload for a person with autism with sensory overresponsiveness. which may cause a meltdown. So yes, she can do as she pleases with her own movie, but also understand why the autism community is appalled by it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do respect all of the views put here on my blog. If you feel aggrieved at the film then you have every right to. There was a contingent of people with autism of varying ranges on the spectrum. They all seem to really enjoy the film. That is the great thing about film. It can stir ones emotions. I've heard nothing from Sia where she denigrates autism and those who have autism. She made a film .... some people were offended. Everyone has a right to an opinion. It's all a part of living in a healthy world.
ReplyDelete