As you might have heard, Sia recently debuted her film Music, which features Maddie Ziegler as a non-verbal autistic teenager. From what I gather, the film showcases Ziegler’s character expressing herself through pop musical dance routines alongside Kate Hudson and Leslie Odom Jr. But honestly, I can’t bring myself to watch it. The mere thought leaves me baffled.
Unsurprisingly, many autistic individuals have voiced their discontent with this film. Some are even deeply hurt by its portrayal. It’s essential to note that not all autistic voices feel the same way, so let’s avoid generalizations.
I won’t dive into every reason why this movie is problematic. Autistic individuals can articulate their own experiences. However, I feel it’s crucial to engage in this conversation.
Misrepresentation of Autistic Experiences
First off, Maddie Ziegler is not autistic. While she is undeniably talented and has collaborated with Sia for years, she isn’t the right fit for this role. As Sara Luterman pointed out in her insightful review for Slate, “Ziegler is not mocking anyone, but her portrayal raises discomfort as she awkwardly mimics disability.” It’s clear that the adults around her have failed to guide her appropriately in this instance.
Ziegler likely believed she was contributing positively—allegedly encouraged by adults despite her reservations. However, learning to portray an autistic character by watching videos of children having meltdowns is far from respectful.
Sia, as the director, had ample opportunities to rectify this project or at least opt for an autistic actress for the lead role. Seriously, were there no autistic actresses available? It turns out, there weren’t any unavailable.
Sia previously claimed, “I actually tried working with a beautiful young girl non-verbal on the spectrum and she found it unpleasant and stressful. So that’s why I cast Maddie.” She also stated, “Casting someone at (the character’s) level of functioning was cruel, not kind…I made the executive decision that we would do our best to lovingly represent the community.”
Hello, Sia? If it was cruel for an autistic person to portray the character, why on earth did you think continuing with this project was a good idea? If a non-verbal autistic person can’t play the role, perhaps the script doesn’t accurately or respectfully represent their experience.
Community Response
There are numerous ways to misrepresent autistic individuals, and Music seems to find them all. While it received some praise from The National Council on Severe Autism, it’s important to note that the representation of autism in the film is far from reality. The character’s life is depicted as miraculously easy, with neighbors who love and support her, which is not reflective of the real-world experiences of autistic individuals.
A group of autistic young adults called The Autisticats reviewed the film, with one member, Jamie, watching it despite its painful content. They shared insights on why Music is troubling for many in the autistic community. If you haven’t checked out their full review, it’s worth your time.
Non-autistic viewers need to pause and consider the perspectives of autistic individuals. Did you read the Autisticats’ entire post? Did you notice the terms they used like caricature, insincere, and mockery? Their feedback highlights how the portrayal of the character resonated with their own experiences of bullying due to their mannerisms.
The scenes depicting Music being forcibly restrained—now acknowledged by Sia as harmful—are still presented as entertainment, despite the danger they pose.
This is not the representation autistic individuals are asking for or deserve. Autistic characters should be visible in media, and it’s essential that autistic voices are included in the creation of that content.
Autistic actors, filmmakers, writers, and musicians exist. We must advocate for content that genuinely reflects autistic experiences, or at least ensure that non-autistic creators consult a diverse range of autistic voices in their storytelling.
Conclusion
Though Sia has made some attempts to acknowledge the film’s shortcomings—issuing apologies and agreeing to add disclaimers—these gestures come too late. She continues to engage in debates with disability advocates, insisting she did her best while the film remains nominated for awards.
I anticipate some will argue I should watch the film to form an opinion. That’s nonsense. I don’t need to see neurotypical actors performing alongside a neurotypical director to understand the harmful representation of autism. Many autistic individuals have clearly expressed how this film misrepresents their experiences and undermines their credibility.
I trust their voices.
For further insights, check out this blog post, which discusses similar themes. You might also find useful information at WomensHealth.gov regarding pregnancy and home insemination. If you’re interested in strollers, this site is an excellent resource.
To sum up, the film Music fails to respectfully portray autistic experiences and has sparked significant backlash from the community. It’s essential to elevate authentic autistic voices in media representation to foster understanding and acceptance.