CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion
Earnest Hollywood docu argues for disability inclusion.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion is a documentary about how movies and TV have portrayed people with disabilities historically, how that's changing, and how and why Hollywood should strive to include characters with wide ranges of abilities. Lots of film clips show past examples, and some have brief, non-gory violence and mild scariness. A character says "s--t" in a film clip, and some clips, especially of "classic" movies, show characters smoking. Otherwise there's no real content of concern for younger viewers, but the extensive interviews of adults talking about the movie industry is unlikely to hold the interest of viewers younger than 12. Lots of positive representations of people interviewed with a wide range of abilities, and lots of important issues discussed about how we've historically viewed people with disabilities, what's wrong with that, why having characters with a wide range of abilities and characteristics is important, and how Hollywood as an industry can move forward in a more positive, inclusive direction.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
CINEMABILITY: THE ART OF INCLUSION is a documentary that interviews lots of Hollywood insiders from producers, directors, writers, and actors with a wide range of abilities about how movies and TV have portrayed people with disabilities in the past and how they can be more inclusive in the future. Celebrities interviewed include Ben Affleck, Jamie Foxx, Marlee Matlin, and Danny Woodburn, among many others. It shows Hollywood's historical treatment of disabilities in movies and TV and why it's important to be inclusive, and explores a wide range of issues from why movie's aren't that inclusive, whether it's OK for an actor with no disabilities to portray a character with disabilities, the media's influence on our perception of ourselves and others, and how words and images are used to create the notion of "disability."
Is It Any Good?
This earnest, thoughtful documentary takes Hollywood to task for its past treatment of disability while offering a clear path forward for industry insiders to make positive changes. CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion backs up their arguments with lots of film clips showing how portrayals of disability have, and often haven't, improved over the course of movie history. Actors, writers, directors, and producers talk about their own experiences casting and portraying disability, successfully and sometimes not-quite-so successfully.
It offers lots of food for thought and will open up new lines of thinking about why inclusion is important, how we perceive disability, and the media's influence on society and our ideas about who we are and what we want to be. Some of the messages get a little repetitive, though, and most of the stars interviewed skew toward teen and adult appeal, making it best for older kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion argues for greater inclusiveness. Why should movies and TV have characters with disabilities? How does the media affect how we see other people?
Have you seen many movies, TV, or videos, read any books, or played any games that had characters with disabilities? Was the portrayal positive or negative? Did it change how you thought of, or felt about, people with disabilities? How?
How would society benefit if media, especially movies and TV, were more inclusive? Do they have to power to change how we see ourselves and each other?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: October 5, 2018
- Cast: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Geena Davis
- Director: Jenni Gold
- Studio: Leomark Studios
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Arts and Dance, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, History
- Character Strengths: Communication, Compassion, Empathy
- Run time: 97 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: December 7, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Mask
Moving, mature story of teen with facial differences.
-
Ray
Excellent portrayal of extraordinary musician.
-
Push Girls
Wheelchair-bound women combat stereotypes; some sexuality.
For kids who love documentaries
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate