Is it me or is SIA movie 'Music' depiction of Autism HIGHLY offensive?!

[Mum2prince]

Ive just seen the trailer in YouTube, ive yet to research more about what in earth possesed this woman to cast maddie ziegler a NT person to play the role of a young autistic girl.

I am gobsmacked at all the stereotypes the have used to depict autism and i honestly felt horrible watching it. As someone who was concerned my ds may have asd, this is exactly the type of representation i did not like. Regardless of how much info about asd is out there and the awareness raises, there is still a large group of people who do not fully understand Autism and this movie makes things worse imo.

The icing on the cake is the movie trailer is a sensory overload for me, let alone someone neurodiverse who may want to watch it. Bright colours, flashing lights and breaking out into song regularly. Yikes.

AIBU?

*EDIT - Just watched and interview Sia did and she used offensive words like "low functioning" and even claimed she had an original Autistic girl cast for the role but she couldn't handle it. What?!

@x2boys

The autistic community hate people like my son because he's autistic and also severely learning disabled they like to shout down my voice because my son doesn't have his own voice

I'm sorry you feel this way @x2boys, i can only speak on my own behalf when i say its because of the respect that i have for the autistic community that i do not agree with the themes in this movie. Not the autistic character herself who imo is the best part of the film (excluding the choreography). Also my niece who is severely autistic left the house last year and it was the most scariest thing, thankfully a kind neighbour called the police and she was safely brought home. But i just imagine if someone had watched that film and saw her have a meltdown, would they think its okay to restrain her like that? I mean they make it seem like thats the way to help. Very dangerous message!

The people who advised on the film (Autism Speaks) hate people like your son as they would prefer he was never born. Not people who are autistic.

@x2boys

The autistic community hate people like my son because he's autistic and also severely learning disabled they like to shout down my voice because my son doesn't have his own voice

Does it make you feel better to make insulting generalisations about a whole group of people?

gosh, I just had a look at the trailers. This is just awful. It feels like someone is mocking someone with severe ASD. it's beyond cringe worthy. I have a DC with severe ASD and it is just like some little bastards mimicking DC. What were they thinking?

I have a sister who is on the spectrum and I agree with some PPs - representation is important and it's ok to have criticism and feedback, but when we aggressively pick things apart and our criticism and negativity reaches a certain point, people will just stop trying because it's not worth the backlash.

Im really concerned about the restraint aspect. There was an awful retraint that went wrong at my sons special school in Novemember. An ambulence was called for the teacher restraining and the child.

Is Music an autistic stereotype though? Maddie's character is played as severely disabled by her condition. When I think of stereotyped autistic characters then the first one that springs to mind is Sheldon in Big Bang and I think you'll find more of the autistic savant stereotype in films than the depiction shown in Music.

As Maddie is Sia's alter ego then my guess is that this film was inspired and built around her extraordinary dancing talents. Sia is on record saying Maddie is her muse.

Sia's songs are often highly personal and speak of alienation and her struggles to form human connections (Elastic Heart). The opening verse regarding her childhood in Alive is interesting "I played alone. I played on my own. I survived."

Clearly, Sia feels a great connection with those on the autistic spectrum, hence this project. Perhaps she has got it wrong (I haven't seen the film so can't give my opinion yet) but I doubt she ever had bad intentions.

The role of Music could have been played by an autistic actor as we have many talented ones (including some huge A-listers such as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Dan Ackroyd, Daryl Hannah, Jerry Seinfeld etc.) but I personally think this is a project personal to Sia and inspired by the dance/acting/mime talents of her alter ego, so why would she cast anyone other than Maddie?

@SleepOhHowIMissYou

Is Music an autistic stereotype though? Maddie's character is played as severely disabled by her condition. When I think of stereotyped autistic characters then the first one that springs to mind is Sheldon in Big Bang and I think you'll find more of the autistic savant stereotype in films than the depiction shown in Music.

As Maddie is Sia's alter ego then my guess is that this film was inspired and built around her extraordinary dancing talents. Sia is on record saying Maddie is her muse.

Sia's songs are often highly personal and speak of alienation and her struggles to form human connections (Elastic Heart). The opening verse regarding her childhood in Alive is interesting "I played alone. I played on my own. I survived."

Clearly, Sia feels a great connection with those on the autistic spectrum, hence this project. Perhaps she has got it wrong (I haven't seen the film so can't give my opinion yet) but I doubt she ever had bad intentions.

The role of Music could have been played by an autistic actor as we have many talented ones (including some huge A-listers such as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Dan Ackroyd, Daryl Hannah, Jerry Seinfeld etc.) but I personally think this is a project personal to Sia and inspired by the dance/acting/mime talents of her alter ego, so why would she cast anyone other than Maddie?

Why on earth would anyone compare the above named actors with someone with severe autism who can’t live or function independent of constant help and supervision? It

I agree with the rest of the post though.

"Why on earth would anyone compare the above named actors with someone with severe autism who can’t live or function independent of constant help and supervision?"

Because if only autistic actors played autistic characters then Sir Anthony Hopkins could play a character who was severely disabled by autism because he is on the spectrum himself (as are Dan Ackroyd, Daryl Hannah and Jerry Seinfeld).

As it is, I'm not sure any of these named actors has ever portrayed a person on the spectrum (I could be wrong though).

I don't agree that an actor has to be autistic to play an autistic person. Dustin Hoffman has been mentioned as Rain Man, Russell Crow in A Beautiful Mind is another that springs to mind. I've not seen an attack on either of these men or their producers (nor on Jim Parsons who plays Sheldon Cooper so brilliantly). However, the knives are out for Sia and her young protégée and I feel this smacks of double standard.

I’ve seen a lot of critics of Rainman, Sheldon & other similar portrayals.

I asked my son about this.

He doesn’t like Sheldon in Big Bang Theory because it feels like you are laughing AT him.

He does like Abed in Community because it feels like you are laughing WITH him.

@SleepOhHowIMissYou

"Why on earth would anyone compare the above named actors with someone with severe autism who can’t live or function independent of constant help and supervision?"

Because if only autistic actors played autistic characters then Sir Anthony Hopkins could play a character who was severely disabled by autism because he is on the spectrum himself (as are Dan Ackroyd, Daryl Hannah and Jerry Seinfeld).

As it is, I'm not sure any of these named actors has ever portrayed a person on the spectrum (I could be wrong though).

I don't agree that an actor has to be autistic to play an autistic person. Dustin Hoffman has been mentioned as Rain Man, Russell Crow in A Beautiful Mind is another that springs to mind. I've not seen an attack on either of these men or their producers (nor on Jim Parsons who plays Sheldon Cooper so brilliantly). However, the knives are out for Sia and her young protégée and I feel this smacks of double standard.

I know a op said they were on the spectrum. My question still stands.

*a pp

I mean I know a pp said these actors were on the spectrum.
My question remains - why would they be more suited than anyone else to play someone with sever disabilities requiring 24 he care and supervision?

@Coronawireless

*a pp

Is "pp" previous poster?

Given that autism is a spectrum, I guess my question is if only like can portray like, how "autistic" is autistic enough?

Or would powerful people like those mentioned be seen to be "taking the piss" even though they share a diagnosis.

@Coronawireless I think we're both asking each other the same question 😁

Oh. You’re probably just asking it in a less hectoring way 🙂

My favourite depictions of HFA autism are actually in the Tv series Bones, although none of the characters are ever called autistic. The main character and at least one of the interns are very interesting explorations of how autism can present, although more Aspergers, and the specific vulnerabilities and difficulties that can accompany it. Trying hard not to give spoilers

Pahahaha

I think the responses to my comments have jumped the shark a bit.
I don’t for a moment expect people to agree with me but to keep repeating ‘well if you are happy with the film ..’ when I’ve said twice that 1) I haven’t seen it and 2) I’m sure there are things in it I would take issue with, is just disingenuous.

Also, telling me that that the autistic community have a problem with the film is rather proving my point.
People like my son don’t have a voice so they are excluded by the ‘autistic community’ who happily speak for them and talk down to me and other parent/carers who have a view.

I don’t really care if you disagree but when you lecture me and misrepresent what I’ve said you do kind of prove my theory of the hierarchy of ASD that keeps my son as autisms dirty secret

I enjoy SIA's songs. But do you think it's wise for someone who (as far as I know) has no skin in the game to attempt something as ambitious as a film on Autism? It's an incredibly complex matter. I wonder what could have driven her to do it.

All people with autism are different. Some will find it offensive and others won't. Some will not be able to understand what it is about. Rainman the film was similar - all must be great at maths etc.... stereotypes again.

My friend's daughter has autism. She cannot speak, she needs lifelong care and around the clock supervision. She self harms and is unable to wash herself etc. She is unable to talk, read or write. She wouldn't even understand what this thread says but her mother might be offended on her behalf.

@turquoisewaters

I enjoy SIA's songs. But do you think it's wise for someone who (as far as I know) has no skin in the game to attempt something as ambitious as a film on Autism? It's an incredibly complex matter. I wonder what could have driven her to do it.

I guess she's thinking it wasn't such a good idea now.

I can't imagine she had any bad intentions though, quite the opposite I should imagine.

I'll wait till I can see it for free. I like 1000 Forms of Fear and This is Acting but wouldn't say I'm a massive fan. Absolutely love her videos though.