"I think that the image - the screen image - is the sole definer for the general population of disability."

There's nothing more annoying than a film snob preaching about a movie that "changed the world of cinema as we know it" only to realize that the film in question is saturated in ableism, from start to finish.

I'm tired of the Oscar-bait movies featuring actors cripping up, only to walk up the stairs to the stage (sans ramp, sans limp, sans mobility aid) and accept an accolade at the expense of my and my community's lived experiences.

And you know what? I'm not the only disabled person to feel this way.

Code of the Freaks is a documentary in which 13 artists and creatives share their own experiences in Hollywood and the exploitation of disability in some of cinema's most cherished "classics."

Code of the Freaks – Official Trailer

Code of the Freaks presents a radical reframing of the use of disabled characters in film. Using hundreds of clips spanning over 100 years of moviemaking, an…

YouTube

Thank you for being here. 💚

The Disability Daily-ish delivers Disability arts ephemera and Crip news in bite-sized nuggets to enjoy with your morning coffee. Consider upgrading to a paid plan to help keep this going! We'll send you extra goodies and love along the way.

If you don't like getting daily emails from us, no hurt feelings, you can opt-out by scrolling to the bottom and clicking "manage subscription."