Sia has made headlines recently with the release of her directorial debut, “Music.” The film stars Maddie Ziegler as a non-verbal autistic teen who interacts with the world through pop musical dance sequences alongside Kate Hudson and Leslie Odom Jr. To be honest, I haven’t watched it. I’m just gathering enough information to express my thoughts on this troubling project, and frankly, what on earth were they thinking?
As expected, many autistic individuals have voiced their displeasure regarding the film, with some feeling deeply hurt by its portrayal. It’s important to note that not all autistic people share the same opinion, so it’s crucial to approach this conversation with nuance.
Concerns About Casting
One of the primary issues is that Maddie Ziegler is not autistic. While she’s a talented young actress with a history of collaboration with Sia, casting her in this role raises significant concerns. As pointed out by film critic Jamie Foster in a compelling review, “While Ziegler’s intentions may not be malicious, her portrayal of disability is uncomfortable and often clumsy.” It’s evident that the adults in her life, including Sia, have let her down by encouraging her participation in a project that requires a more authentic representation.
Sia, as a seasoned adult, had ample opportunities to rethink her choices or to cast an autistic actress in the lead role. It’s baffling that this didn’t happen. At one point, Sia claimed she had tried working with an autistic girl but found it “unpleasant and stressful,” leading her to cast Ziegler instead. If portraying the character was deemed too “cruel” for an autistic individual, how could Sia justify moving forward with Ziegler? This raises serious questions about the film’s authenticity.
Unrealistic Portrayal of Autism
The portrayal of autism in “Music” is also notably sanitized and unrealistic. Critics argue that it paints a picture of autism that is far from the truth, depicting a world where neighbors are endlessly supportive and life is generally easy. This starkly contrasts with the real experiences of many autistic individuals, who often face misunderstanding and discrimination.
An Instagram account called The Autisticats, run by a group of autistic young adults, has provided insights into why “Music” has sparked such outrage. One member, Jordan, bravely watched the film to articulate its shortcomings, using words like caricature and mockery to describe the portrayal. They highlighted how scenes depicting restraint were particularly distressing, especially given the real harm such actions can cause.
The Need for Authentic Representation
This is not the representation autistic individuals are calling for, nor the depiction they deserve. Autistic characters should be integral to the stories we consume, and it’s essential for autistic voices to be included in every aspect of storytelling. There are countless autistic creators—actors, filmmakers, and writers—who should be given the opportunity to share their narratives authentically.
While Sia has made some attempts to acknowledge the backlash, offering apologies and promising to revise the film, it feels like too little, too late. The film continues to receive accolades, allowing her to profit from a project that many believe undermines the very community she claims to support.
Some might argue that I should watch the film before forming an opinion, but that’s not necessary. I trust the voices of autistic individuals who have made it clear that “Music” misrepresents their experiences and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. Their perspectives are more than enough for me to understand the film’s shortcomings.
Further Reading
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Summary
Sia’s film “Music” has sparked significant backlash from the autistic community due to its problematic representation of autism. Critics highlight that casting a non-autistic actress in the lead role and the film’s sanitized portrayal of autism fails to reflect the real experiences of autistic individuals. This situation underscores the importance of authentic representation in media and the need for autistic voices in storytelling.
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