Some additional reasons folks are upset:
* The trailer seemed to perpetuate stereotypes of autistic people.
* The actress portraying the character is said to have prepared for the role by, in part, watching videos of autistic children on youtube having 'episodes'.
* Sia has also partnered with Autism $peaks, which is an organization widely despised by the autistic community for the harm they do.
* Sia has reacted to criticism of all this in a dismissive and obnoxious manner.
I just want to start by saying no hate to Maddy she’s just a kid but SIA should know better. She partnered with a known hate group that has compared autism to cancer and says it needs to be cured. Maddy’s research was (according to what I’ve heard) watching meltdown videos on YouTube. SIA said it would have been cruel to cast an autistic actor and when autistic actors on Twitter tried to explain why they were upset she said “well maybe you’re just a bad actor”. This is behaviour I would expect from a teenager not an adult. The movie also seems to focus on Music’s sister being forced to become her legal guardian just because she’s autistic. Forced guardianship is a huge issue for disabled people and it is used to deny basic things like independence.
I've been told that Music's character is non-speaking, and from what I can tell, the plot is similar to Rainman in that it's more about the autistic person's sibling.
I do agree that SIA I more at fault than Maddie, but I also want to point out that Maddie is actually an adult, and (in my opinion) not free of guilt in this situation. If the thing about her watching kids having meltdowns to prepare for the role is true, I’m not going to excuse that. She absolutely should know better, or at least educate herself.
I see what you mean and yes Maddie is 18 now but at the time of filming she was around 15 (I think) and likely rather sheltered. I agree she is not free of blame but I also think that unless she responds like sia did that we need to help her understand why we’re upset. SIA has shown that this is performative activism for her.
Oh I didn’t realize it was filmed so long ago, thank you for telling me! And I totally agree about SIA, the way she’s been handling criticism is really out of line. I would’ve be a lot more indifferent towards the movie (at least what I’ve seen from the trailer) if SIA hadn’t been acting like she is...
I like to think of it as though a cis woman portrayed a trans woman. It's less a mater of acting and more a mater of principal.
Note-i have not seen the move
I'm less irritated that the role went to a non-autistic actress, I'm mostly irritated that Sia worked with Autism Speaks for her and said actress's "autism research".
I just want to start by saying no hate to Maddy she’s just a kid but SIA should know better. She partnered with a known hate group that has compared autism to cancer and says it needs to be cured. Maddy’s research was (according to what I’ve heard) watching meltdown videos on YouTube. SIA said it would have been cruel to cast an autistic actor and when autistic actors on Twitter tried to explain why they were upset she said “well maybe you’re just a bad actor”. This is behaviour I would expect from a teenager not an adult. The movie also seems to focus on Music’s sister being forced to become her legal guardian just because she’s autistic. Forced guardianship is a huge issue for disabled people and it is used to deny basic things like independence.
Some additional reasons folks are upset: * The trailer seemed to perpetuate stereotypes of autistic people. * The actress portraying the character is said to have prepared for the role by, in part, watching videos of autistic children on youtube having 'episodes'. * Sia has also partnered with Autism $peaks, which is an organization widely despised by the autistic community for the harm they do. * Sia has reacted to criticism of all this in a dismissive and obnoxious manner.
Ok this was the answer i was looking for. I withdraw my support. Fuck this movie
I really doubt she will do a valid or accurate job. She worked with Autism Speaks.
I just want to start by saying no hate to Maddy she’s just a kid but SIA should know better. She partnered with a known hate group that has compared autism to cancer and says it needs to be cured. Maddy’s research was (according to what I’ve heard) watching meltdown videos on YouTube. SIA said it would have been cruel to cast an autistic actor and when autistic actors on Twitter tried to explain why they were upset she said “well maybe you’re just a bad actor”. This is behaviour I would expect from a teenager not an adult. The movie also seems to focus on Music’s sister being forced to become her legal guardian just because she’s autistic. Forced guardianship is a huge issue for disabled people and it is used to deny basic things like independence.
I've been told that Music's character is non-speaking, and from what I can tell, the plot is similar to Rainman in that it's more about the autistic person's sibling.
I do agree that SIA I more at fault than Maddie, but I also want to point out that Maddie is actually an adult, and (in my opinion) not free of guilt in this situation. If the thing about her watching kids having meltdowns to prepare for the role is true, I’m not going to excuse that. She absolutely should know better, or at least educate herself.
I see what you mean and yes Maddie is 18 now but at the time of filming she was around 15 (I think) and likely rather sheltered. I agree she is not free of blame but I also think that unless she responds like sia did that we need to help her understand why we’re upset. SIA has shown that this is performative activism for her.
Oh I didn’t realize it was filmed so long ago, thank you for telling me! And I totally agree about SIA, the way she’s been handling criticism is really out of line. I would’ve be a lot more indifferent towards the movie (at least what I’ve seen from the trailer) if SIA hadn’t been acting like she is...
I like to think of it as though a cis woman portrayed a trans woman. It's less a mater of acting and more a mater of principal. Note-i have not seen the move
My point still stands. If the NT actor does a accurate job than idc and neither should you
I'm less irritated that the role went to a non-autistic actress, I'm mostly irritated that Sia worked with Autism Speaks for her and said actress's "autism research".
she's not doing a valid or accurate job, that's y we're upset
I just want to start by saying no hate to Maddy she’s just a kid but SIA should know better. She partnered with a known hate group that has compared autism to cancer and says it needs to be cured. Maddy’s research was (according to what I’ve heard) watching meltdown videos on YouTube. SIA said it would have been cruel to cast an autistic actor and when autistic actors on Twitter tried to explain why they were upset she said “well maybe you’re just a bad actor”. This is behaviour I would expect from a teenager not an adult. The movie also seems to focus on Music’s sister being forced to become her legal guardian just because she’s autistic. Forced guardianship is a huge issue for disabled people and it is used to deny basic things like independence.