Watch Code of the Freaks

Code of the Freaks is a documentary film that was released in 2020, directed by Salome Chasnoff. The movie addresses the representation of disability and ableism in Hollywood, shedding light on the negative stereotypes that have been perpetuated for decades. The film features interviews with a range of disability advocates, activists, and writers such as Mindy Alper, Lawrence Carter-Long, Jim LeBrecht, and Alice Wong, as well as actors with disabilities, including Eileen Grubba and Kurt Yaeger. Each of these individuals brings their own personal experiences and expertise to the table, giving the film a rich and diverse perspective on the topic at hand.

The title of the film is derived from the Hays Code, a set of guidelines that governed Hollywood films from the 1930s to the 1960s. This code outlined many restrictions regarding what could be depicted on screen, and one of the more controversial rules prohibited the portrayal of "sexual perversion" and "morally objectionable" characters. This rule was ultimately used to restrict the representation of disability, as visible disability was seen as a physical abnormality that could be perceived as "freakish" or "perverted".

Code of the Freaks delves deeply into the ways in which cinema has contributed to the marginalization of disabled people. The film analyzes many popular films and television shows, from classics like FREAKS (1932) and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1939), to more recent movies like ME BEFORE YOU (2016) and JOKER (2019). Many of these works perpetuate the myth of the "tragic" disabled person, as well as the notion that disability is inherently abnormal or pathological.

One of the key strengths of the film is its ability to demonstrate how these stereotypes are not limited to overtly hostile representations, but also emerge from seemingly sympathetic portrayals. The movie uses the example of FORREST GUMP (1994), a film that is often celebrated for its positive portrayal of disability. However, the film's message of perseverance and resilience arguably reinforces ableist notions about what people with disabilities are capable of, as well as painting a simplistic and inaccurate picture of the realities of living with a disability.

Code of the Freaks is not, however, just a catalogue of negative examples. The film also highlights positive efforts to increase representation and demand better depictions of disability in film. Throughout the film, we see interviews with actors and filmmakers like RJ Mitte, Marlee Matlin, and Justin Baldoni, who are actively working to combat ableism in Hollywood. Alongside these efforts, the movie offers a number of recommendations for how Hollywood can improve its representation of disability, including the hiring of disabled actors and writers, and the development of stories that are driven by disabled characters rather than simply using disability as a plot device.

In terms of structure, the film employs a combination of talking head interviews, archival footage of films and television, and animation. The animation in particular is used to great effect, highlighting the power of media to shape our perceptions of disability. This is most strikingly demonstrated in a sequence that uses animation to recreate the famous dinner scene in FREAKS, showing how the film revels in the physical abnormalities of its cast and encourages the viewer to experience disgust and terror towards them.

In summary, Code of the Freaks is an essential documentary for anyone interested in film, disability studies, or social justice issues more broadly. The film is impactful, thought-provoking, and at times deeply emotional. By exposing the harmful stereotypes that have been perpetuated by Hollywood for so long, the movie challenges us to demand better representation not only for disabled actors and filmmakers, but for all marginalized groups whose stories have been silenced by mainstream media.

Code of the Freaks is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.