"Blindness" is a Miramax film scheduled for release October 3rd, 2008. The plot centers on an epidemic causing blindness that leads to the collapse of modern society. In "Blindness," the newly blind characters are depicted as helpless, even soiling their own beds because they are unable to find their way to restrooms. This inaccurate and negative depiction of people with visual impairments has outraged activists representing the blind community, and prompted the National Federation for the Blind to announce a plan to picket the film in at least 21 states.
According to a statement released today, "The National Federation of the Blind condemns and deplores the negative, damaging, and distorted description of blindness and blind people in the movie, 'Blindness,' adapted for the screen from the novel of the same name by José Saramago. This outrageous and offensive movie reinforces society's fears and misconceptions about the blind and will lead to lost opportunities for employment and social acceptance. Contrary to the stereotypes and images this movie portrays:
- Blind people travel, work, go to school, raise families, play sports, and participate in their communities.
- Blindness need not be a tragedy.
- Blind people are confident and competent human beings, with as much imagination, creativity, and capacity as the average sighted person."
The American Council of the Blind also released a strongly worded statement criticizing "Blindness" for its portrayal of blind people as "uncivilized, animalized creatures."
Dr. Ronald E. Millman of the ACB says in the Council's statement, "In a very mythical sense, something like what is being shown in the movie might have happened hundreds or thousands of years ago, but certainly not in any civilized society such as what we have in the United States today. The movie is at best totally misleading, and at worst serves to frighten deeply those who see it."
Advocates representing the blind community were permitted to screen the film, but, according to the National Federation for the Blind, letters following the screening, requesting a meeting to discuss concerns with the film, went unanswered. There appear to be no plans to change "Blindness" in any way in response to blind activists' complaints.
Interestingly, Director Fernando Meirelles was willing to revise the film in response to criticism from women regarding a scene of sexual violence. According to the LA Times, Meirelles changed a disturbing scene depicting a brutal rape after nearly 10% of his audience walked out of a test screening.
Said Mereilles, "Some women were really angry with the film, and I thought, ‘Wow, maybe I crossed the line.’ I went back not to please the audience but so they would stay involved until the end of the story. You want the audience with you."
The recent film "Tropic Thunder" sparked similar protests from advocates and activists within the disability community, but, like Mereilles, Ben Stiller was unwilling to make changes in response to protests, pickets, and boycotts. It seems Mereilles and "Blindness" will continue Hollywood's tradition of failing to address the concerns of disability activists.
What do you think? Will "Blindness" lead to lost opportunities for people who are blind, or is the movie harmless entertainment?
