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The abuse of a 50-year-old woman at an "assisted living" facility in Long Island, has gained a groundswell of much overdue attention in recent weeks. From my appearance on CNN Headline's Nancy Grace on August 21st (transcript here: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0708/21/ng.01.html) to local reports on television and in print, clearly more attention -- and action -- is needed.
Studies suggest 8 out of 10 disabled women are likely to have been abused. We'll continue to expose this hidden epidemic when we screen the Australian award-winning film "Dance Me To My Song" at the next disTHIS! film screening -- tomorrow, Wednesday September 5th at DCTV.
"Song" stands out as one of the best of the best movies we'll ever show. If you have yet to make it to a disTHIS! screening or if it has been awhile since you last attended, please consider joining us. In addition to abuse by so-called caregivers, the themes explored in "Song" include depicting disabled sexuality in an unflinching, stark and gripping way.
The issues deserve a wider audience and so does the movie. Please join us. The discussion we have afterwards is sure to be lively.
Best to all, Lawrence
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Next @ the disTHIS! Film Series: disability through a whole new lens
September 5: Dance Me To My Song
"Dance Me to My Song" had people crowding the aisles of its extra screenings at the Cannes Film Festival. It's easy to see why. "Song" is remarkable for its no-holds-barred portrayal of the daily life of a disabled person and the ultimately positive -- yet uncliched -- note on which the movie ends. The plot centers around a skewed love triangle between disabled protagonist Julia (Heather Rose), her abusive caregiver Madeline (Joel Kennedy) and a handsome mystery man (John Brumpton).
The movie’s brilliance lies in showing life with a disability isn’t restricted to difficulties going to the bathroom and getting around; it also involves loneliness, love and -- at times -- lust.
”Song” begins with Julia stark naked in her wheelchair, being attended to by her caregiver, Madelaine. Far from being gratuitous, the nudity immediately drives home Julia's vulnerability. Her caregiver, the self-absorbed Madelaine, turns out to be a nightmare. Solicitous of Julia at one moment, cruel and physically abusive the next, Madelaine is obsessed with finding a man, and the quest makes her miserable. She brings a boyfriend to Julia's house, where she places dark glasses on Julia, then goes into her bedroom to have sex.
It doesn’t let up from there...
Reviewer James Berardinelli writes that many of the themes examined in the higher profile film, "The Theory of Flight" starring Kenneth Branagh and Helena Bonham-Carter are also explored in “Song.” Perhaps film critic Roger Ebert described the differences between the movies best in his review, "Two movies. Same story. Same objective. Similar characters. Similar situation. One is an entertainment. The other is a thunderbolt."
There's no doubt which is which.
The Telluride Film Festival's description of "Song" reads:
Rolf de Heer’s "Dance Me to My Song," is an extraordinary Australian work written by Heather Rose, who also stars in it—even though she has cerebral palsy, and communicates through a computer and a speaking machine. As the film opens, she’s at the mercy of a stupid and cruel "care giver" who neglects and insults her. Using her motorized wheelchair and her lively intelligence, she tries to figure a way out of her dilemma. In the opening shot, the heroine seems hopeless and alien. By the end, we identify more with her than with the normals in the story.
Not to be missed! Our ever-popular, ever rousing audience discussion will take place following the screening!
Awards & Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
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Awarded the 1998 Australian Catholic Film Award
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Film Critics Circle of Australia: Nominated for Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress (Heather Rose) and Best Supporting Actress (Rena Owen)
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Awarded the Premier's Literary Award Script Writing Prize, New South Wales
WHAT: DANCE ME TO MY SONG
WHEN: Tomorrow! Wednesday, September 5
WHERE: DCTV, 3rd Floor Screening Room
87 Lafayette Street (By Subway: 6, N, R, Q, W, J, M, Z to Canal Street; go two blocks south) between Walker and White in New York City.
TIME: 6:30 to 10pm. Screening starts @ 7pm
WHEN: Tomorrow! Wednesday, September 5
WHERE: DCTV, 3rd Floor Screening Room
87 Lafayette Street (By Subway: 6, N, R, Q, W, J, M, Z to Canal Street; go two blocks south) between Walker and White in New York City.
TIME: 6:30 to 10pm. Screening starts @ 7pm
SUGGESTED DONATION: $5
disTHIS! movies, talkback sessions and related events are open to the public. This film is not captioned. ASL interpretation available upon request. Snacks are provided and there is a cash bar for drinks, but recent screenings following articles in the NY Times, the New York Nonprofit Press and, most recently, the Tribeca Trib have filled our space to capacity. Only a few seats left! Space is limited to the first 65 people! 212.251.4040 to RSVP and reserve YOUR seat or email: disthis@...
ABOUT US: The disTHIS! Film Series, a program of the Disabilities Network of NYC in association with DCTV, showcases independent and international short, documentary and feature films with disability themes you are unlikely to see elsewhere. disTHIS! movies are always provocative; never what audiences expect. No handkerchief necessary, no heroism required. This is disability through a whole new lens. We are made possible, in part, by the generous support of The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
For more information and to sign up for regular email updates, please visit: http://disthis.org
Visit us on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/disthisfilmseries
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