Disability representation wasn’t the focus of the film’s director Andrew Stanton. He was inspired by his own life experiences. The story is based on reality. In the early 2000s, the current conversations were about disability.
Finding Nemo: When Art imitates life & early 2000s disability politics. Read More »
Nemo is full of fear and doubt, saying he doesn’t swim well because “I have a little fin!” Depending on the real-life scenario, this may or may not be an applicable excuse.
Nemo’s relationship to his “lucky fin” Read More »
Finding Nemo provides a very subtle disability representation. Nemo’s undeveloped fin is nicknamed his “lucky fin,” which is a simple way to acknowledge he is different without drawing attention.
Finding Nemo nails disabled family dynamics Read More »
Jake Sully’s body is used as a world-building tool. A dystopian Earth is paralleled with a disabled body.
Avatar uses disabilities to define dystopia Read More »
Avatar (2009) ends with Jake transferring his consciousness to his Avatar body, ultimately erasing disability in this society and planet. Angry Hippie emphasizes the ability to move consciousness is a profound question and says, “While many thought they were being clever by dissecting this movie to exploit its’ flaws, they were merely peeling the first layer of the onion.” (AVATAR: In-Depth Analysis)
How Avatar glorifies erasing disability Read More »
Avatar is based on historical events, and Hollywood commonly leans on appropriation culture and white washing.
The science fiction genre allows greater freedom to explore these issues in unique ways. Avatar compared to other movies outside the science fiction genre other films adapted historical events simplify and dramatize for the story.
Appropriation culture’s influence on Avatar cast Read More »
James Cameron pioneered photorealistic CGI. His goal was to enhance the story with special effects that had never been seen before. “Thousands of posts appeared ‘Avatar Forums’ who said they were depressed, despairing, even suicidal–because they could not live in a world of Pandora.” (Holtmeier & Park-Primiano, 4).
Avatar’s real CGI legacy Read More »
A blockbuster like Avatar reinforces societal norms, “quelling anxieties” around disabled veterans. Jake as a white ex-marine who maintained the mindset after injury, he represents the most patriotic version of humanity.
What Avatar got wrong about disabled veterans Read More »
The character of Jake Sully fits the disability standard wheelchair-bound person stereotype. The film takes place in the future when there’s an operation people can undergo to reverse paralysis.
However, Jake cannot afford it. Because the premise involves controlling an Avatar with your mind, Jake is rarely seen in his wheelchair.
How fictional futures are contributing to today’s ableism Read More »
