The portrayal of disability on film is changing. While more stories that center around people with disabilities are being told, there is still a need for representation of real people with disabilities both in front of and behind the camera. These films and documentaries offer intimate portrayals of the full lives led by people with disabilities. These titles would be perfect to add to your disability awareness collection.
Crip Camp
Crip Camp explores how a summer camp for teens with disabilities has shaped the lives of its alumni, with many going on to become activists for the disability rights movement. Co-director Jim Lebrecht, who was born with spina bifida, set out to make the film to tell the often unheard story of a disability rights advocate. This film would be welcome in any collection that centers around activism and community.
Check out our interview with Crip Camp filmmaker, Jim Lebrect
Imperfect
Imperfect follows a troupe of actors with a range of disabilities as they prepare for their version of the musical, Chicago. Chronicling the experiences of people with Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, autism, impaired vision, and multiple sclerosis, Imperfect challenges our notions of the actors we see on screen and stage, and encourages all viewers to let go of their inhibitions.
My Name is Gennet
My Name is Gennet is the only narrative film on this list, but it is based on the real life story of Gennet Corcuera. While traveling in Ethiopia, Carmen Corcuera decides to adopt Gennet, a seven year old child who is blind and deaf. The pair move back to Spain, where Gennet goes on to become the first deaf-blind woman to hold a university degree in Europe. Gennet Corcuera continues to specialize in the care of deaf-blind people all over the world and plays herself in the film.
Unrest
While working on her PhD at Harvard, Jennifer Brea is suddenly struck by an illness that leaves her bedridden. Overlooked by medical professionals, Brea begins to document her experience and finds a community of people that are also affected by similar symptoms. This personal documentary focuses on how Brea’s illness has changed the way she sees the world and the importance of advocacy for a stigmatized illness.
Get your copy of the Unrest Blu-ray DVD by clicking here.
Vision Portraits
This documentary follows the creative process of blind and visually impaired artists, including a photographer, dancer, writer, and the film’s director, Rodney Evans. Exploring varying degrees of vision loss, Vision Portraits utilizes archival footage and interviews to create an inspiring meditation on creativity.
Read our review of Vision Portraits