Traying Persons with Disabilities in Contemporary Cinematic Art

Abstract

Over time, the societies’ relation towards people with disability has changed its course, due to the influence of scientific knowledge, as well as the influence of artistic representation of disability. Cinema is a globally present medium, so the question of its influence on the attitudes of society has emerged. In this paper, overall 20 movies in which the main character has a disability have been analyzed. The analysis shows the dominance of disabled male characters. The main characters often have motoric impairment, followed by mental disorders, and intellectual disability. Mental disorders are in analyzed movies portrayed with aggressive behavior (e. g. violence). The movies are mostly mainstream, and profit-driven. Implications are multiple: there is a need to construct inclusive cinematography – (sub)discipline within the media culture, which could adequately address the question of social stigma and social marginalization of people with disabilities, which is at this point globally present in current media (movies and series). Also, there is a need for the introduction of critical content in media culture within the education curriculums, as well as a need for promoting alternative cinema, as adequate media for promoting inclusive values.