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Hollywood Inclusion

Disability Rights Documentary UNSEEN Challenges Stereotypes and Misconceptions About Disability

Still from Unseen showing Pedro, the film's subject.“UNSEEN” is a moving and insightful film that offers a window into the life of Pedro, a blind undocumented immigrant navigating the challenges and triumphs of daily life with grace and resilience. The powerful disability rights documentary opens with Pedro candidly documenting his day, providing a glimpse into the world of a blind person and the interactions he encounters while accompanied by his service animal.

One of the standout aspects of the film is Pedro’s openness and willingness to engage with the community, patiently answering questions about his blindness and sharing his experiences. However, as the inquiries become more probing and the humor more intrusive, a sense of vulnerability and discomfort begins to emerge, highlighting the social obstacles faced by many individuals with disabilities. [continue reading…]

Kevin Iannucci Takes on Hollywood

Kevin Iannucci smiling headshotKevin Iannucci, a rising talent in Hollywood, is raising the bar and challenging old stereotypes with his passion for acting and dedication to inclusivity. The 29-year-old Raleigh native’s journey into the world of acting began at the young age of seven with his older sibling’s encouragement.

His hard work has paid off, and Iannucci stars in the recent film “Champions,” which tackles themes of redemption and acceptance. “Movies and TV shows are about life and people, and I think we all need to be included and accepted,” he asserted, advocating for diversity in storytelling. [continue reading…]

“All You Hear Is Noise” Aims to Reshape Stereotypes of Disabled Athletes

poster for All You Hear Is Noise with tagline more than special olympians and one of the three triathletes featured in the movie holding swim gogglesThe documentary “All You Hear Is Noise” is a film of perseverance. Directed by Ned Castle and Matt Day, the film screened at the Santa Barbara Film Festival earlier this month after first premiering at Tribeca in 2023. “All You Hear Is Noise” follows the journey of three U.S triathletes – Trent Hampton, Melanie Holmes, and Chris Wines – training to compete in the Special Olympics World Games. Viewers gain a glimpse into their personal lives as they train to achieve a goal few achieve.

This documentary takes the audience on an emotional ride as Trent, Melanie, and Chris face daily misconceptions and prejudices hurled at them. They use these to inspire their will to succeed. The support from their families and coaches illustrates the importance of a support system, especially when facing others who say their goal is unattainable. Throughout the film, the trio travel to the United Arab Emirates in search of community and the hopes of reshaping the stereotypes of disabled athletes. [continue reading…]

“This Body is a Shell:” A Cinematic Masterpiece Challenging Societal Norms

Poster art for "This Body is a Shell" with a woman stretching hir arms out wide and the film's title“This Body is a Shell,” which premiered at Slamdance Film Festival last month, is an extraordinary film that beautifully portrays the journey of self-acceptance and the triumph over societal beauty standards. Directed by Ashley Eakin, this film takes an intimate look at the lives of diverse women and their struggles with self-love and having to face their own reflections.

From the very beginning, the film captivates viewers with its profound message and thought-provoking imagery. The women in the film represent different walks of life, each facing their own battles with the damaging effects of societal expectations. Through their stories, the film highlights the universal experience of feeling trapped in a body that doesn’t conform to society’s standards of beauty. [continue reading…]

Ibelin’s Animated Gamelogs Shows Mats Steen’s Life as Fulfilling, not Isolating

Mats Steen smiling sitting at a desk looking at a computer in a still from Ibelin

Courtesy of Sundance Institute. Photo by Bjørg Engdahl.

Park City, Utah, Jan 31 – The first 10 minutes of Benjamin Ree’s documentary “Ibelin” is a story about a family coming to terms with loss after their son and brother passes away at 25 from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. However, as the film goes on, viewers realize that “Ibelin” is actually a story about the life and impact of Mats Steen, who discovers a world of friends through online gaming, where he uses the moniker Ibelin Redmoore, famed detective and nobleman. Overall, “Ibelin,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this month, is a coming-of-age story about new ways of creating relationships. [continue reading…]

“Frida” Brings Artist’s Own Writings and Work to Life Through Animation to Bring Viewers Into Her Mind

Frida Kahlo black and white photo wearing a white dress from FRIDA

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Lucienne Bloch.

Park City, Utah, Jan 31 – The Sundance hit “Frida” takes viewers through the famed painter’s life and how her acquired disability plays a role throughout Frida Kahlo’s life. As a teenager, she wanted to become a doctor. After acquiring her disability, she found fulfillment in painting.

In the opening moments, viewers hear an actor reading excerpts from Frida’s writings. “In my life, I’ve only painted the honest expression of myself. To say what I couldn’t in any other way. I pant because I need to.” [continue reading…]

“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story:” A Family Drama Utilizing Archival Footage and Home Videos Highlights Reeve’s Life and Legacy

Christopher Reeve reclining in his wheelchair in a still from Super/Man

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | Photo by Herb Ritts / AUGUST.

Park City, Utah, Jan 31 – As “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” premiered during the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, audience members were visibly holding back tears, being pulled into the story of not just Christopher Reeve but also his family. The lives of the mother of his first two children, his wife, and his three children were intertwined throughout the documentary in a way that brought Reeve’s life and legacy to the forefront. This documentary ultimately becomes a film about a family – with each family member learning how to deal with their own individual trauma. [continue reading…]

2024 Slamdance Unstoppable Highlights Disability-Inclusive Films

Collage from Slamdance unstoppable website including a woman, a radio, an eye, and other objects. Slamdance logo in bottom rightPark City, January 17 – In 2020, filmmaker and disability advocate Juliet Romeo reached out to Slamdance co-founder Peter Baxter, stressing the need for a program for and by disabled filmmakers. Conversations turned to action and Slamdance Unstoppable was born. In 2021, the virtual Slamdance Film Festival included a showcase of disability-inclusive short films. In 2023, Slamdance Unstoppable, which included both short and feature films, aired both in-person and virtually. This year, all Slamdance Unstoppable films will screen in both Park City and Salt Lake City.

Uplifting and amplifying stories by disabled filmmakers is vital due to the disproportionately low representation of disability in the entertainment industry both in front of and behind the camera. In a recent study by USC Annenberg, only 1.9% of all speaking characters in the top 100 grossing films of 2022 were portrayed as disabled, an incredibly small number compared to the 27% of the U.S. population that is Disabled. By showcasing this collection, the Slamdance Unstoppable block is helping to change these statistics. [continue reading…]

A Guide to 2024 Disability-Inclusive Sundance Films

Sundance Film Festival 2024 logo on the screen in a packed movie theater. Text reads January 18-28

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

Park City, January 16 – With one-in-five people having a disability in the U.S. today, the lack of representation – just 1.9 percent of characters in the 100 top-grossing films of 2022 and 8 percent in family films – means that millions of people are unable to see themselves reflected in media.

The 2024 Sundance Film Festival (January 18 – 28) will provide an opportunity for audiences with various disabilities to see themselves represented – both in-person and virtually.

This year, several films feature disability in the plot, including A Different ManFRIDA, Ibelin, Out of My Mind, The Outrun, Stress Positions, Suncoast, and Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, among others. [continue reading…]

“Our First Priority” Examines How Medical Gaslighting Prevents Care

Our First Priority poster artwork with ghostly image of the film's main character HannahThe short horror film Our First Priority tackles the important concept of medical gaslighting, which is not talked about as often as it should. Writer/Director Ariel Baska utilizes music, light, and color to give the topic the horror treatment.

Opening with music evoking a horror film, the tone quickly shifts to viewers seeing a young girl named Hannah in the hospital for a checkup. The sudden lack of background music is jarring, highlighting the importance of the interaction. The nurse makes it clear that Hannah is there by herself, but the viewer sees an older version of Hannah lurking, watching the entire interaction, inserting her thoughts.

Our First Priority takes viewers into Hannah’s mind – showing how the fluorescent lights distort her vision and hearing, all the while hearing older Hannah saying she should be worried. When Hannah reads her long list of symptoms – that are recurring – the doctor ignores her, instead playing with a flashlight. The flashing of the light underscores the doctor choosing to ignore the patient. [continue reading…]

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