Hello! I watched your review of this film and I throughly enjoyed it. :) I actually made my own response to the film in the comments of the trailer. My comment was very long and had sources to other articles/websites that others could go to and get more information. Unfortunately I did get quite a bit of backlash from this comment which I will past below in case you’re interested: As a person with autism myself, as well as epilepsy, the bright colors and loud music were too much. Many on the autistic spectrum have something called Sensory Processing Disorder. This makes everyday stimuli overwhelming. Also the fact that Sia handled things horribly online didn’t help either... it just made her seem closed minded and immature. All people were doing was pointing out the flaws and issues the film had. And all she did was get pissed at everyone who dared to criticize it. To be honest, I’m not even angry over the fact that Maddie got casted. That’s quite common. But it would’ve been nice to have an actual autistic person act there part. That way, they’d have some experience on what having autism is really like. However, I am angry that I have to keep repeating myself to others. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried explaining this to someone and their response was either “I don’t care” or “If you don’t like it then don’t watch”. The fact that Sia replaced that autistic girl instead of giving her accommodations to make the set and experience more comfortable for her, is just wrong. Instead, Sia just casted her star Maddie. And that to me just doesn’t sit right... Maddie was FUCKING crying to Sia! Begging not to be in the film, due to the fear of being made fun of and getting backlash from this. But Sia pushed her forward anyway, saying it was fine. Shows how much she cares... I know not every autistic person is the same as me, but please try to understand where we’re coming from. We aren’t hating on this film for no reason. We’re trying to explain why it makes us so uncomfortable. If Sia truly plans on releasing a film representing our community, it should be comfortable for EVERYONE within that community. Not just the handful that like bright colors and loud music. I know not everyone can be pleased, but surely you understand what I’m trying to say. Right? Here are some helpful links for those wanting to know more about ASD or SPD: What is ASD: www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrum-disorder Info on SPD: www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-sensory-processing-disorder-260517 Sia’s tweet (now deleted. This is a repost): twitter.com/EmmettComix/status/1332698732685651968?s=20 Story about Maddie Crying/Nepotism: abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2021/1/4/sia-says-casting-maddie-ziegler-in-her-new-film-music-was-mo.html Story about Sia paying for Maddie’s security due to “feeling responsible for her fame”: www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/sia-pays-for-24-hour-security-for-maddie-ziegler-because-she-feels-responsible-for-her-fame-ng-b881783217z Link to the synopsis of the film: www.reddit.com/r/aspergers/comments/ko1167/full_summary_about_music_that_movie_by_sia/? Link to some of the scenes from the film. There’s clips out there. And they don’t look good. www.reddit.com/r/dancemoms/comments/kxvrr5/sia_movie_is_officially_out_these_are_some_clips/? That is not how you should treat someone who is having a meltdown. Pinning them down like a criminal? If anything, that’s probably make the meltdown worse! I could understand a bear hug, because some autistic people need pressure to feel comfort. But not this... This film has got to be the worst portrayal of autism I’ve ever seen. Please don’t support this. It won’t do the autistic community any good... And for those of you saying that Sia did her best... No... Sia did not do her best. Three years of research just isn’t enough to understand the complexity of what she is trying to portray. And the fact she used Maddie instead of the original actress really says something. There could’ve been accommodations set for the girl to help her cope while being on set, but Sia decided that it was just to hard, so she used her usual star Maddie. She even admitted that it was nepotism. Sia doesn’t give a shit about the autistic community. All this is, is just to promote her new album while trying to gain some more money while doing so. Sickening... Also, the fact that this horrific film got a GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATION is just...not right. Link: www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees Sai apologized to the autistic community. And then deleted her Twitter right after: deadline.com/2021/02/sia-sorry-autism-music-golden-globes-1234687236/amp/ And yes, I do believe that Autism Speaks had something to do with this film, despite denying it in this tweet: twitter.com/autismspeaks/status/1329895705679425541?s=21 It has come to my attention that there could’ve possibly not have been an autistic actress to begin with. Since Sia admitted that the role of Music was specifically for Maddie herself. This makes the situation much worse because it was never about the autistic community at all... it was all about Sia’s music and her super star Maddie. EFor those wondering, “Huh... didn’t Sia already release a trailer for this a while back? What happened to it?” Well, it got unlisted. But not to worry! I have the link for you all right here. ua-cam.com/video/0OEh1GdzVoA/v-deo.html Also here’s a petition for the Golden Globes to rescind the nominations. Link: www.change.org/p/the-golden-globes-the-golden-globes-must-rescind-the-nomination-for-sia-s-ableist-movie-music?US%3A3&recruiter=504673310&recruited_by_id=fe35a130-e65e-11e5-a62b-01e3c705e761& For those looking for a film review, here’s a good one that goes into great detail: ua-cam.com/video/gbgLrxMukdc/v-deo.html
You know what is even worse, there wasn't an autistic person first. Sia said that when people were first asking, I think that she thought it would calm things down (really shows how little research she did). The movie was first announced in September 2015 as Sister and at the time Sia said that she wrote it for Maddie and at the announcement Maddie was the only name publicly attached.
One movie I just want to bring up right here (which you may or may not have seen/heard about) is the 2009 Australian claymation movie "Mary and Max". It's widely revered as one of the best representrations of autism in film and media (specifically 'Asperger's Syndrome'), and deservedly so! And it's surprising that Sia hasn't referred to that one, with her claiming that she did 3 years of research; you'd think with that amount of time, whe would have watched as many autism-related films as possible to get as much exposure to it, rather than just watching recognizable ones that hav been the subject of "award bait". Furthermore, apart from doing a great job at detailing what it's like to live on the spectrum, it also shows exactly what the best way to apologize is (including for an act of unintentional ablism), as opposed to Sia's multiple non-apologies. In the movie, Mary Daisy Dinkle, a neurotypical Australian girl who is lonely and living with a broken family, writes to a random stranger in the hope of finding a friend, and she ends up writing to Max Horowitz, a Jewish New-Yorker with Asperger's. They share all their stories with one-another, all their grievances, and offer each other advice on how to cope with it, and become the best of penpals. Then (SPOLIERS) as things start going right in Mary's life, she starts to get a dash of overconfidence and takes it upon herself to make better the lives of everyone in her life. She goes to university to study autism, uses her penpalship with Max as a case study to write a book about him (without his consent), uses some *predicatbly biased sources of research on mental conditions as reference, and gets much acclaim for the book as its about to be released. She sends Max the first copy and tells him that she will gladly split the royalties with him, and says that she is planning to visit him and hopes to help him find a cure for his Asperger's (forgetting that he once told her that he likes being autistic and does not wish to be cured of it). Max responds to this by ripping his M-key out of his typewriter and mailing it to Mary, signifying that he cut all ties with her. Mary's first action, upon seeing this, is she destroys every last copy of her pre-published book, rather than releasing it and reaping all the financial and critical benefits of it for herself like she could have done. She doesn't though, because she values Max as a human being and treasrues her friendship with him (gone though it may have been for that moment), more than her own career. And when she sees a can of sweetened condensed milk in her cupboard and recalls how Max told her that was something he always wanted to try, she mails it to him with a simple I'M SORRY written on the front of it, lets it be her last exchange with him, and waits quietly to see if he responds, rather than writing him multiple letters of excuses and pleas for forgiveness. But after some time and some consideration (and just as Mary has grown so depressed and lonely that she becomes and alcoholic and is about to commit suicide), Max decides to write to her and tell her that he accepts her apology. He tells her that he recognizes that she is imperfect as is he, and that he can't chose his warts but he can chose his friends, and being his friend is the best thing she can do for him! THAT is how genuine apologies and make-ups go! The best form of apology is changed behavior!
I’m sorry it took so long for me to find this video. I knew Music was bad but I had no idea how bad it was until I heard you describe it. Most internet reviewers leave out the parts about Zu trying to institutionalize Music, the whole ‘make you eggs’ and ‘braid your hair,’ and the debacle over Music’s assistive device. They all focus on Sia basically being a POS. What nobody is talking about is the fact that the songwriter who wrote songs like Sledgehammer, I’m Still Here, and Alive, basically likened Autistics to inanimate objects and lashed out at the autistic community when they didn’t like her movie. I don’t believe she researched crap. Her ‘research’ probably involved binge watching The Rain Man and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and left it at that. She’s a POS, she knows how to manipulate people to get what she wants, nothing else.
The research that Maddie said she was given for playing the role was watching UA-cam channels that show autistic meltdowns (she didn't phrase it quite like that) and watching What's Eating Gilbert Grape with Sia. Sia said that she taught Maddie the tics (Sia's word choice) that she needed to know based on the autistic boy that she knew from AA. Interestingly the version that I heard for why he was there was that he was the son of the ASL interpreter (a different version was he was the son of someone at AA - either way why would you have a child there). Gem's video is the first time that I have heard an age given for him. Haven't heard that she engaged with him outside of the AA meetings though so again the characterisation of him is based on observation in that setting.
Sia has EDS. It’s heavily associated with autism and is even one cause of autism because it is a genetic collagen mutation that structures the brain differently, aka not neurotypical. There is a very good possibility that Sia is high functioning and on the autism spectrum. I personally have both. EDS effects anything with collagen so, everything in your body. EDS leaves you prone to organ ruptures, joint dislocations, lack of oxygen to the brain, ataxia, tachycardia, gastroperesis, brain aneurism, sudden death and so much more. EDS is an invisible disability and we go through life being confronted for stuff like this, being called weird, freaks. liar, faker, attention seeking etc. and that is exactly what is going on here. EDS gives us thick stretchy skin and an elastic heart that stretches to the point it snaps and bursts. And another one bites the dust. The reverse ableism thrown at Sia is astounding and I think you owe Sia an apology. Sia owes no apology. EDS is one of the most excruciating disorders around when things break down and it’s deadly. Sia is not as able as you might think, and is much closer to the autistic community than you might think too.
I also have EDS and autism, and while I appreciate your thoughts, I’m afraid we don’t agree on this particular issue. I stand by my arguments, but thank you for sharing yours.
![Thoughts On ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wf_iayU1xKw/mqdefault.jpg)
![Thoughts On ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) [CC]](/img/tr.png)
Hello! I watched your review of this film and I throughly enjoyed it. :)
I actually made my own response to the film in the comments of the trailer. My comment was very long and had sources to other articles/websites that others could go to and get more information. Unfortunately I did get quite a bit of backlash from this comment which I will past below in case you’re interested:
As a person with autism myself, as well as epilepsy, the bright colors and loud music were too much. Many on the autistic spectrum have something called Sensory Processing Disorder. This makes everyday stimuli overwhelming.
Also the fact that Sia handled things horribly online didn’t help either... it just made her seem closed minded and immature. All people were doing was pointing out the flaws and issues the film had. And all she did was get pissed at everyone who dared to criticize it.
To be honest, I’m not even angry over the fact that Maddie got casted. That’s quite common. But it would’ve been nice to have an actual autistic person act there part. That way, they’d have some experience on what having autism is really like. However, I am angry that I have to keep repeating myself to others. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried explaining this to someone and their response was either “I don’t care” or “If you don’t like it then don’t watch”.
The fact that Sia replaced that autistic girl instead of giving her accommodations to make the set and experience more comfortable for her, is just wrong. Instead, Sia just casted her star Maddie. And that to me just doesn’t sit right... Maddie was FUCKING crying to Sia! Begging not to be in the film, due to the fear of being made fun of and getting backlash from this. But Sia pushed her forward anyway, saying it was fine. Shows how much she cares...
I know not every autistic person is the same as me, but please try to understand where we’re coming from. We aren’t hating on this film for no reason. We’re trying to explain why it makes us so uncomfortable. If Sia truly plans on releasing a film representing our community, it should be comfortable for EVERYONE within that community. Not just the handful that like bright colors and loud music. I know not everyone can be pleased, but surely you understand what I’m trying to say. Right?
Here are some helpful links for those wanting to know more about ASD or SPD:
What is ASD:
www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrum-disorder
Info on SPD:
www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-sensory-processing-disorder-260517
Sia’s tweet (now deleted. This is a repost): twitter.com/EmmettComix/status/1332698732685651968?s=20
Story about Maddie Crying/Nepotism: abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2021/1/4/sia-says-casting-maddie-ziegler-in-her-new-film-music-was-mo.html
Story about Sia paying for Maddie’s security due to “feeling responsible for her fame”: www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/sia-pays-for-24-hour-security-for-maddie-ziegler-because-she-feels-responsible-for-her-fame-ng-b881783217z
Link to the synopsis of the film: www.reddit.com/r/aspergers/comments/ko1167/full_summary_about_music_that_movie_by_sia/?
Link to some of the scenes from the film. There’s clips out there. And they don’t look good.
www.reddit.com/r/dancemoms/comments/kxvrr5/sia_movie_is_officially_out_these_are_some_clips/?
That is not how you should treat someone who is having a meltdown. Pinning them down like a criminal? If anything, that’s probably make the meltdown worse! I could understand a bear hug, because some autistic people need pressure to feel comfort. But not this...
This film has got to be the worst portrayal of autism I’ve ever seen.
Please don’t support this. It won’t do the autistic community any good...
And for those of you saying that Sia did her best... No... Sia did not do her best. Three years of research just isn’t enough to understand the complexity of what she is trying to portray. And the fact she used Maddie instead of the original actress really says something.
There could’ve been accommodations set for the girl to help her cope while being on set, but Sia decided that it was just to hard, so she used her usual star Maddie. She even admitted that it was nepotism.
Sia doesn’t give a shit about the autistic community. All this is, is just to promote her new album while trying to gain some more money while doing so. Sickening...
Also, the fact that this horrific film got a GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATION is just...not right.
Link: www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees
Sai apologized to the autistic community. And then deleted her Twitter right after: deadline.com/2021/02/sia-sorry-autism-music-golden-globes-1234687236/amp/
And yes, I do believe that Autism Speaks had something to do with this film, despite denying it in this tweet: twitter.com/autismspeaks/status/1329895705679425541?s=21
It has come to my attention that there could’ve possibly not have been an autistic actress to begin with. Since Sia admitted that the role of Music was specifically for Maddie herself. This makes the situation much worse because it was never about the autistic community at all... it was all about Sia’s music and her super star Maddie.
EFor those wondering, “Huh... didn’t Sia already release a trailer for this a while back? What happened to it?”
Well, it got unlisted. But not to worry! I have the link for you all right here.
ua-cam.com/video/0OEh1GdzVoA/v-deo.html
Also here’s a petition for the Golden Globes to rescind the nominations.
Link: www.change.org/p/the-golden-globes-the-golden-globes-must-rescind-the-nomination-for-sia-s-ableist-movie-music?US%3A3&recruiter=504673310&recruited_by_id=fe35a130-e65e-11e5-a62b-01e3c705e761&
For those looking for a film review, here’s a good one that goes into great detail:
ua-cam.com/video/gbgLrxMukdc/v-deo.html
Very comprehensive. Thank you for sharing!
You know what is even worse, there wasn't an autistic person first. Sia said that when people were first asking, I think that she thought it would calm things down (really shows how little research she did). The movie was first announced in September 2015 as Sister and at the time Sia said that she wrote it for Maddie and at the announcement Maddie was the only name publicly attached.
Excellent review. Picked up on some points most skipped or missed.
Thank you!
One movie I just want to bring up right here (which you may or may not have seen/heard about) is the 2009 Australian claymation movie "Mary and Max". It's widely revered as one of the best representrations of autism in film and media (specifically 'Asperger's Syndrome'), and deservedly so!
And it's surprising that Sia hasn't referred to that one, with her claiming that she did 3 years of research; you'd think with that amount of time, whe would have watched as many autism-related films as possible to get as much exposure to it, rather than just watching recognizable ones that hav been the subject of "award bait".
Furthermore, apart from doing a great job at detailing what it's like to live on the spectrum, it also shows exactly what the best way to apologize is (including for an act of unintentional ablism), as opposed to Sia's multiple non-apologies.
In the movie, Mary Daisy Dinkle, a neurotypical Australian girl who is lonely and living with a broken family, writes to a random stranger in the hope of finding a friend, and she ends up writing to Max Horowitz, a Jewish New-Yorker with Asperger's. They share all their stories with one-another, all their grievances, and offer each other advice on how to cope with it, and become the best of penpals.
Then (SPOLIERS) as things start going right in Mary's life, she starts to get a dash of overconfidence and takes it upon herself to make better the lives of everyone in her life. She goes to university to study autism, uses her penpalship with Max as a case study to write a book about him (without his consent), uses some *predicatbly biased sources of research on mental conditions as reference, and gets much acclaim for the book as its about to be released. She sends Max the first copy and tells him that she will gladly split the royalties with him, and says that she is planning to visit him and hopes to help him find a cure for his Asperger's (forgetting that he once told her that he likes being autistic and does not wish to be cured of it).
Max responds to this by ripping his M-key out of his typewriter and mailing it to Mary, signifying that he cut all ties with her. Mary's first action, upon seeing this, is she destroys every last copy of her pre-published book, rather than releasing it and reaping all the financial and critical benefits of it for herself like she could have done. She doesn't though, because she values Max as a human being and treasrues her friendship with him (gone though it may have been for that moment), more than her own career.
And when she sees a can of sweetened condensed milk in her cupboard and recalls how Max told her that was something he always wanted to try, she mails it to him with a simple I'M SORRY written on the front of it, lets it be her last exchange with him, and waits quietly to see if he responds, rather than writing him multiple letters of excuses and pleas for forgiveness.
But after some time and some consideration (and just as Mary has grown so depressed and lonely that she becomes and alcoholic and is about to commit suicide), Max decides to write to her and tell her that he accepts her apology. He tells her that he recognizes that she is imperfect as is he, and that he can't chose his warts but he can chose his friends, and being his friend is the best thing she can do for him!
THAT is how genuine apologies and make-ups go! The best form of apology is changed behavior!
I’m sorry it took so long for me to find this video. I knew Music was bad but I had no idea how bad it was until I heard you describe it. Most internet reviewers leave out the parts about Zu trying to institutionalize Music, the whole ‘make you eggs’ and ‘braid your hair,’ and the debacle over Music’s assistive device. They all focus on Sia basically being a POS.
What nobody is talking about is the fact that the songwriter who wrote songs like Sledgehammer, I’m Still Here, and Alive, basically likened Autistics to inanimate objects and lashed out at the autistic community when they didn’t like her movie. I don’t believe she researched crap. Her ‘research’ probably involved binge watching The Rain Man and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and left it at that. She’s a POS, she knows how to manipulate people to get what she wants, nothing else.
The research that Maddie said she was given for playing the role was watching UA-cam channels that show autistic meltdowns (she didn't phrase it quite like that) and watching What's Eating Gilbert Grape with Sia. Sia said that she taught Maddie the tics (Sia's word choice) that she needed to know based on the autistic boy that she knew from AA. Interestingly the version that I heard for why he was there was that he was the son of the ASL interpreter (a different version was he was the son of someone at AA - either way why would you have a child there). Gem's video is the first time that I have heard an age given for him. Haven't heard that she engaged with him outside of the AA meetings though so again the characterisation of him is based on observation in that setting.
Sia has EDS. It’s heavily associated with autism and is even one cause of autism because it is a genetic collagen mutation that structures the brain differently, aka not neurotypical. There is a very good possibility that Sia is high functioning and on the autism spectrum. I personally have both.
EDS effects anything with collagen so, everything in your body. EDS leaves you prone to organ ruptures, joint dislocations, lack of oxygen to the brain, ataxia, tachycardia, gastroperesis, brain aneurism, sudden death and so much more.
EDS is an invisible disability and we go through life being confronted for stuff like this, being called weird, freaks. liar, faker, attention seeking etc. and that is exactly what is going on here.
EDS gives us thick stretchy skin and an elastic heart that stretches to the point it snaps and bursts. And another one bites the dust.
The reverse ableism thrown at Sia is astounding and I think you owe Sia an apology. Sia owes no apology.
EDS is one of the most excruciating disorders around when things break down and it’s deadly. Sia is not as able as you might think, and is much closer to the autistic community than you might think too.
I also have EDS and autism, and while I appreciate your thoughts, I’m afraid we don’t agree on this particular issue. I stand by my arguments, but thank you for sharing yours.
@@disabledandfab good for you? You are ableist and disabled congratuloser