Sia’s “Music” Angers Autism Community

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Sia’s new film “Music” has angered the autism community for not representing autism accurately.

Heather Suraci, Editor-in-chief

Sia’s new movie Music has outraged the autism community, for both the casting of a neurotypical actress in the role of an autistic character as well as for showing scenes where the character is being restrained. And the criticisms don’t end there. In the film, Music (Maddie Ziegler) is a young autistic woman who falls under the care of her half-sister Zu (Kate Hudson) after her grandmother dies (Mary Kay Place). Zu learns all about Music’s daily routine with the help of Music’s neighbor Ebo (Leslie Odom Jr.) – and the movie becomes more problematic, according to advocates.

The movie depicts Music being restrained as a means to calm her down; this is something the community has condemned. Restraint is particularly dangerous for the autism community; an autistic person may not be able to tell you when they can’t breathe.

In addition to the restraining technique complaints, many have voiced their anger in Ziegler’s role. People had hoped that an autistic actor would be able to play the role. Social media users criticized singer Sia last year for not casting someone on the autism spectrum to play an autistic character, though she doubled down on her decision at the time claiming that Ziegler would deliver an accurate performance including difficult dance scenes, Ultimately, Sia felt no autistic person would be able to do so as Ziegler is a trained dancer.

Also, autistic critics have pointed out the movie is really about Hudson’s character and not about Music. Despite the movie’s eponymous title, Music does not get to show her personality or perspective aside from some interpretive dance numbers meant to show audiences what it is like in her mind. Many people are upset that the movie tells a story that is filtered through the eyes of someone who was not in the community.

The film received two Golden Globe nominations earlier this month – for best motion picture, musical or comedy, and best actress in a musical or comedy (Hudson) – and will now include a disclaimer up front about restraint.

Advocates agree that it is important to show stories about the autistic community on-screen. However, they just want to be part of the process to ensure accurate stories are told without offending the autism community in the process.