TW: Sia's movie "Music", which is about autistic people

[NonCisWoman]

Trigger warning


Is anyone else following this story? Or has anyone seen the film itself?

I haven't seen the film, but from the pictures and descriptions I've seen on Twitter, I'm pretty shocked.

[Covidcorvid]

Not heard anything about it...what’s shocking?

[MiddleParking]

It takes a lot to shock me but yes, this has.

[NonCisWoman]

@Covidcorvid

This thread on Twitter breaks it down well:

twitter.com/autisticats/status/1360337999792398336?s=21

[Covidcorvid]

Oh, just read a review...from an autistic critic. Who’s distinctly unimpressed and by the sound of it I don’t blame her.

[Covidcorvid]

Just seen that first clip on the Twitter thread. Maddie dances like that and uses such facial expressions in quite a few of Siam’s videos and live shows I’ve seen. Which are nothing to do with autism. So I wonder if she’s just taken her dancing style into the film? That maybe she’s a good dancer but a shit actress?

But others around the film, Sia as the director, etc should have said no....that autistic people aren’t like this.

I do remember seeing some stuff months ago that people felt an autistic actress should have been used, not Maddie.

[SomewhereUpMyArse]

Aye well this is the problem when you have people attempt to "normalise" something that isn't their "normal".

Maybe she should have made a video about a person gargling with a throatful of marbles while her mouth's propped open with an ironing board.

I mean seriously, I realise I do have some hearing loss but I'd challenge anyone to work out what the fuck she's saying in her songs most of the time.

[FoxyTheFox]

Diary massively took the hump when autistic people and autistic advocacy groups attempted to discuss the production issues around the film. She said that she attempted to use autistic actors but they couldn't cope on set, no mention of adapting the work environment to suit. She took advice from Autism Speaks. Then when the film turned out to be shit and basically a mish-mash of every offensive autism stereotype you can name, she posted that she was sorry and should have sought advice from autistic people and autism advocacy groups, then she deleted her accounts.

I hope the fucking thing tanks but of course it won't, people will watch it and then we can hear things like "oh, like in that film Music?" instead of "oh, like in the film Rainman?" and every Tom, Dickhead, and Harry will fancy themselves an autism expert because they've seen it at least three times.

[FoxyTheFox]

Diary = Sia

[sunnysidegold]

I read about this when it first came out and thought that it was odd in this day and age that Sia thought it wise to cast a NT person when a person with autism could have done the role. I was quite surprised no one had questioned it at the outset. At least to think that people would raise some eyebrows at it.

But.....we still see people aith a disability portrayed by people without disabilities. I really hope this will change soon.

[sunnysidegold]

Oh @somewhereupmyarse your post was perfect!

[BarbaraofKent]

What is the film about? What's the plot? It does look very strange and pretty offensive if this is an actress 'pretending' to be autistic?

[Covidcorvid]

I feel sorry for Maddie who obviously trusts and looks up to sia and is now going to get it in the neck.

[SomewhereUpMyArse]

Lol thanks @sunnysidegold. Agree with you about visibility vs what can become mimicry. I mean yes actors are actors and that means portraying a person who isn't whoever is acting. But when the whole point of a piece is that it's supposed to be "about" a condition or disability, it's potentially dodgy ground to use a hire who doesn't have that experience, especially given the rife disablism there is throughout society including in creative fields.

[bellropes]

I'm autistic and this film isn't going down well with the autistic community who are online.

I resent being reduced to the out of date stereotypes, and it causes confusion amongst the neurotypical community who we have to try and negotiate with. I think they should stop making films about autism until research findings have caught up, accepted and been presented properly to both professionals and the public.

[Bananabuddy3]

It was made about 4 years ago and it’s only just being released - that probably says something, film distributors didn’t want it (I don’t know the industry though - please correct me if I’m wrong)

I did see the comments Sia threw back on Twitter as some kind of link appeared on m FB page for some reason, I don’t generally follow these things. The article quotes her Twitter response stating she tried to work with an autistic girl first, then quotes an interview she had during the pre production period where she stated she wrote the part specifically for Maddie.....she’s the one I feel quite bad for - I don’t think this film will do her much good.

But - it has been nominated for two Golden Globes. So Sia is now apologising (and probably smiling all the way to the bank).

I was really impressed by Chandelier video but to be honest every video is now the same so I’m imagining the music in this film to be more of a repeat - same wig same facial expressions same crazy moves that make my body hurt) - I struggle a bit with musical films! I’ll trust peoples reviews.

The relationship Sia has with Maddie does seem a bit strange - a big too strong, some of the things she’s said about that girl (who’s only just an adult). Bizarre world.

I hope people can take a stand against the film as needed - the advert does make it appear offensive .

[NonCisWoman]

I also feel bad for Maddie here. She is only 18, so she couldn't have truly understood the consequences of making this film when she did.

I also agree that Sia's obsession with her is creepy.

[Gilead]

I’m autistic. Autism speaks are abhorrent. They approve the use of restraint and there were initially restraint scenes in the film.
I haven’t seen the film and have no intention of doing so whilst it outs money in the pockets of those who don’t listen to us.
I did see her apology, which was very much ‘ sorry you felt offended’. In other words an abusers apology.

[IndecentCakes]

Agree, Gilead.

I don't want to watch it. Also weird was the vid with Shia Labeouf.

[Bananabuddy3]

Sia’s comments include “My intentions are awesome” so I think that probably answers it.