Criticism of Sia's Direction in 'Music': An Autism Sensitivity Analysis
Recent discussions regarding Sia's direction of her movie 'Music' have centers around the controversy within the autistic community. One of the compelling issues raised is the casting of a non-autistic actress, Maddie Ziegler, as an autistic character in the film. This essay delves into the nuances of this situation, scrutinizes Sia's oversight, and discusses the broader implications for autism representation in media.
Debate Over Autistic Casting
The primary critique among the autistic community is centered on the casting of a non-autistic actress. The fundamental argument posits that an autistic actor or actress should have been chosen for the role. However, this is not the only issue scrutinized in 'Music'; the film's representation of autism as a "species" or "MacGuffin" is also a significant point of contention.
Understanding and Representation
I do not adhere to the belief that every character's role must be filled by someone with the same condition. However, if a non-autistic actor is casting an autistic character, a profound understanding of autism is necessary. In the case of the actress Maddie Ziegler, her preparation for the role involved watching YouTube videos of autistic meltdowns posted by parents. This approach, guided by the director, was likely insufficient and may have resulted in an inaccurate portrayal of the character.
Inexperience and Guidance
While Ziegler was a teenager, her inexperience and the mentorship provided by Sia are key factors. Sia, recognizing that Ziegler might interpret playing an autistic character as making fun of autism, assured her that her portrayal would not be offensive. It is clear that Sia assumed Ziegler would understand the character's complexities effectively, which was likely not the case.
General Understanding and Public Perception
As a director with a public assertion of being autistic, Sia's blindness in the portrayal is mystifying. Her association with Autism Speaks also does not help in upholding a positive image regarding autism representation.
Alienation in the Movie
The film alienates the autistic character, portraying them as an other, a troublesome pet that the protagonist must deal with. This othering is reflective of a broader issue in media representation where autistic individuals are often marginalized or reduced to caricature. The stark visuals and intense musical numbers may alienate many autistic viewers, which is a significant drawback for a film that aims to be inclusive and accurately represent a community.
Insight into the Production Team
It is notable that despite hiring several autistics for the project, the production team did not adequately address these concerns. This highlights the importance of having individuals from the community being portrayed involved in the production. Their involvement could have ensured a more authentic and sensitive portrayal of the characters and themes.
Public Reaction and Sia's Response
The public backlash was primarily played out on Twitter, where Sia doubled down on her artistic vision, emphasizing the caricature portrayal. Her lack of understanding of the specific criticisms was highlighted by the immediate and high-profile reactions from her PR team. This shows that even as a director of an autistic protagonist, Sia was not fully aware of the controversy surrounding the representation of autism in 'Music.'
Conclusion
The criticism of Sia's direction in 'Music' is multifaceted, encompassing the casting choice, representation style, and the overall alienation of the autistic character. This case study underscores the challenges of accurately representing marginalized communities in media. It also highlights the importance of involving authentic voices from the community when producing content about them. For the representation of autism, more must be done to avoid tokenism and stereotypes, ensuring that authentic voices and experiences guide the production process.