Organizations Oppose ‘Blindness’ (the Movie)
Posted October 6th, 2008by Nichole Kraft
A new Miramax film, Blindness, opened in theaters on October 3, much to the chagrin of at least two organizations that represent the blind community. The American Council of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind have both issued press releases condemning the movie.
Blindness was adapted from a novel of the same name by Portuguese author Jose Saramago. The story depicts a nameless city where inhabitants are suddenly struck blind, and are then quarantined by officials who fear the condition is contagious. Once they are quarantined, the social, moral, and hygienic environment quickly degenerates.
According to a spokesperson for the ACB, “The dehumanizing, animalistic way that blind people are portrayed in this movie has blind people across the United States angry. The blind are portrayed as being unable to do anything for themselves.”
The NFB concurs, and is encouraging its members to picket theaters where the movie has opened. NFB President Dr. Marc Maurer has stated, “The National Federation of the Blind condemns and deplores this film, which will do substantial harm to the blind of America and the world.”
On the film’s Web site, however, Miramax presents a different story. “It is an unflinching exploration of human nature, both bad and good—people’s selfishness, opportunism, and indifference, but also their capacity for empathy, love and sheer perseverance.” Miramax calls the movie a dramatic commentary on humanity, not an attack on the visually impaired community.
For more information, visit:
www.nfb.org/nfb/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=368
www.acb.org/press-releases/press-release_Blindness_the-movie.html
Nichole Kraft is assistant editor of Connected.