Autism rights activists have asked Sia to cancel the release of her upcoming film ‘music‘ in a backlash to the trailer released on 19th November, starring Maggie Ziegler as an autistic, non verbal teen. As Ziegler plays a non verbal teenager, an online petition was made after the screening of the premier due to the visual effects and Ziegler not being on the autism spectrum. ‘Music’ is scheduled for release on 21st February 2021, and is a musical drama film directed by Sia. The screenplay was written by children’s book author Dallas Clayton and Sia. Kate Hudson, Maddie Ziegler and Leslie Odom Jr star in the film.
.@Sia announces 14-track ‘Music’ album, drops heart-swelling trailer https://t.co/Riqn7zyQ09
— billboard (@billboard) November 19, 2020
Hannah Marshall, who is an autistic woman from North Carolina, launched the online petition last Friday following the films premier. She said to NME, “As an autistic individual, I am asking that this film is cancelled. It is extremely offensive to myself and other autistic individuals. Sia has shown no remorse for her inaccurate and hurtful betrayal of the community. This film will not have a major impact on history. Cancelling it will express that intolerance to neurodivergence is unacceptable in today’s society. Sia and her associates have additional avenues for funds; they will survive even if no money is made from this film.”
Other supporters shared their views on the petition, which received over 500 signings as of Tuesday afternoon. One of the supporters signing the petition on change.org said, “Beyond disappointed that Sia felt empowered to perpetuate outdated and false ideas of how people with autism behave/see the world. I wish she would have used her platform to amplify the voices of people with autism instead of making an entire movie based on her “own unique view of the community.”
A number of people In response to the criticism on social media, NME reported Sia to have said that the actress she worked worked with on the film was a “beautiful young girl non-verbal on the spectrum” and said she “found [the project] unpleasant and stressful.” She added that, “The movie is both a love letter to caregivers and to the autism community. I have my own unique view of the community, and felt it is underrepresented and compelled to make it. If that makes me a shit I’m a shit, but my intentions are awesome.”
