Watch Cinemability - The Art of Inclusion

Cinemability: The Art of Inclusion is a documentary film that takes an in-depth look at the portrayal of people with disabilities in Hollywood movies. The documentary is directed by Jenni Gold and features interviews with actors, filmmakers, and advocates in the disability community. Narrated by Jane Seymour, the film explores how disability has been depicted in the movies from the early days of silent films to present-day blockbusters.

The movie begins by analyzing some of the earliest examples of people with disabilities appearing in films. It looks at the portrayal of the "crippled beggar" character in silent films as well as the use of actors with disabilities, such as Harold Russell, who lost his hands in World War II and went on to star in the film The Best Years of Our Lives. The documentary then moves on to explore the evolution of disability representation, examining how characters with disabilities have been depicted in various genres, from comedy to horror to drama.

Several Hollywood stars make appearances throughout the film, including Ben Affleck and Jamie Foxx. Affleck discusses his experience playing a blind man in the film Daredevil, while Foxx talks about his Oscar-winning portrayal of musician Ray Charles, who was blind. Both actors reflect on the challenges of playing characters with disabilities and the responsibility they felt to accurately portray their characters.

The documentary also features interviews with directors and screenwriters, including Peter Farrelly, who directed the film Green Book, which won the Best Picture Oscar in 2019. Farrelly talks about his decision to cast an actor with a disability, Tony Lip, as a character in the film and how it was important to him to accurately depict the experiences of people with disabilities in the movie.

Throughout the film, Gold interweaves personal stories of people with disabilities and their experiences with movies. She speaks with Sean Berdy, an actor who is deaf, and Sarah Drew, an actress whose son has Down syndrome. Both actors discuss the impact that disability representation has had on their lives and the importance of accurate representation in the movies.

One of the central themes of the documentary is the impact that media has on society's perception of disability. The film argues that the way disability is portrayed in movies can have a significant impact on how people with disabilities are perceived in real life. The documentary highlights the need for greater representation of people with disabilities in the media and the importance of accurately depicting their experiences.

Cinemability: The Art of Inclusion is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on an often-overlooked issue in Hollywood. It provides a comprehensive overview of the history of disability representation in movies, and explores the impact that media can have on society's perception of disability. Through personal stories from actors and advocates in the disability community, the film showcases the importance of accurate representation and the need for greater inclusion both on and off the screen.

Cinemability - The Art of Inclusion is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes.