User Reviews

I admitted to fast forwarding the doc (recorded it on my DVR), but I thought Cinemability was predictable and questionable (anything that used Snow White, Mr. Magoo and Peter Pan as the old stereotypes while Finding Nemo and How to Train Your Dragon viewed as "modern representations" irks me (the 7 dwarves would've been negative if they worked for the Wicked Queen; Hook didn't lose his arm by defection or at war). Societal prejudices about special people is one thing to examine much like "The Celluloid Closet" which I find similar in structure, and even as an autistic Christian myself I'm tired of the stereotype/cliché of disabled people being called "God's children" and/or "angels" yet I'll always love positive portrayals of us disabled (mentally and physically) and glad to see a wheelchaired director put an effort to it.

Okay... maybe 10 stars should be reserved for films like Citizen Kane and The Godfather, and documentaries about global climate change, and major wars, and all the damage, struggles and triumphs that generally surround earth-shattering events and/or reshape the course of history, but we're all survivors in one way or another, right? Our pain, our tragedy, our struggles are our own. And as Jenni Gold's documentary exquisitely illustrates perhaps we can collectively and unfortunately marginalize this fact, the resulting and regretful repercussion being indifference. I was fortunate to have met Ms. Gold at one of the preview showings here in New York City; she immediately struck me as the genuine article of someone who obviously knows the trials and tribulations of those in the disabled community, more specifically, those within the disabled community of the entertainment industry, but as the film points out that "community" in some sense hasn't yet felt the power of its own weight. The disabled community is one of largest minority groups in the United States that still hasn't completely defined itself, perhaps unlike other minority groups we just lack a cuisine that accurately represent us. Didn't Chef Boyardee use crutches? Quick start spreading rumors! Quick - think - think! Sarah Lee was blind, and uh, Colonel Sanders had glasses, walked with a cane, deaf, he was deaf, I'm sure of it! Co-opting fast food follies aside, CinemaAbility jumps between a plethora of movie and television footage with a litany of actors discussing their portrayals of disabled characters, or actors with a disability, talking about their personal journeys within an industry, that at its core means well, but can be stifled by the realities of circumstance, whether economic, plain ignorance, or good ol' fashioned cultural blindness. To paraphrase a seemingly repeated line throughout the film: "I didn't think of casting a disabled actor in the role, because I didn't think of casting a disabled actor in the role." The entertainment industry is a difficult one to find success in, or even just steady work, no doubt about it; it's a highly competitive market that can be just as ruthless and savage as any bull or bear on Wall Street. And with a stigma cast over your head, and unsympathetic and superficial attitudes floating about it begs the question: Why the heck would anyone in their right mind, disabled or not, want to be around that Hollywood grinder? Trials and tribulations. Simple answer: The work, and you got to love the work, and when you've done your job and you've done it well it's going to be something that lasts and continues to enrich. The poignant message to me, in Gold's documentary, is by including a section of society (a meaningful resource) that has been marginalized we not only enrich the palette of storytelling in film and television, but we also enrich ourselves as a society by representing who we truly are. I keep thinking of the phrase from the American Constitution: "....to form a more perfect Union..." Before the landmark television series Breaking Bad could hit the airwaves, show creator Vince Gilligan (who appears in Gold's doc) had to cast for the role of Walt Jr (a teen boy with cerebral palsy). Vince tried casting non-disabled actors for the part of Walt Jr., but it was RJ Mitte (who in real life has cerebral palsy) that brought an authenticity to the role that was undeniable to Vince. And anyone who has watched the show, or been a fan, knows this to be truer in action than words could ever express. Gold's documentary succeeds in sharing its insight and wisdom on a topic that continues to be pushed into the mute, deaf darkness of our indifference. Time to open the curtains.

Director Jenni Gold brings us CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion! This compelling documentary explores disabilities in Hollywood cinema over the last 120 years. This sometimes amusing look really bring us aware of something that is portrayed in the past but not as much as it should be! There were disabilities back in the golden age of films most notably the blind man in The Bride of Frankenstein. He was the only one to truly see Frankenstein. Through cinema we have seen many roles from TV to movies. Who can forget Ironside. But he was not really disabled but an actor playing a disabled person. A real achievement and a movie that is still to this day a classic is The Best Years of Our lives. Harold Russell played Homer Parish. He played a war veteran who lost his hands. Which was true he had lost his hands training paratroopers with TNT when the accident occurred. Well for his genuine portrayal in that movie he won 2 Oscars. One for best supporting actor the other for being an inspiration to all veterans. It was the first time a actor one 2 Oscars for the same role. Well Jenni Gold really dissects this topic and goes all the way to the silent era to the present. She takes an in depth look at the evolution from then to now with Big Hollywood actors such as Ben Affleck, Gary Sinise, James Keach, Helen Hunt, Ken Howard, Gary Marshal, Adam Arkin, Peter Bogdanovich, Beau Bridges, Richard Donner, Gena Davis, Peter Farely, David L. Lander, William Macy, Jaime Foxx, Marlee Martin and a delightful Danny Woodbury, who is a true inspiration. Plus so many more! The amount of support Jenni got for this movie is overwhelming and heartwarming! This is a true tribute and should be watched. Not only as a message but also how important it is to include everyone. What an impact this has made for me. I really support this movie and hope everyone gets a chance to see this magnificent documentary!

From Director Jenni Gold, the first wheelchair-using woman in the Director's Guild, comes CinemAbility : The Art Of Inclusion. Featuring Ben Affleck, Jamie Foxx, Marlee Matlin, Gary Sinise, Jane Seymour, Adam Arkin, William H.Macy, Helen Hunt, Kyle MacLachlan, Daryl Mitchell, Beau Bridges, Richard Donner, Peter Farrelly, Randal Kleiser and many more!

CinemAbility : The Art of Inclusion, written by Jenni Gold and Samuel W. Reed, releases on VOD October 5 from Leomark Studios

There are many documentaries about the history of Hollywood, but none cover an important topic like this one this. Cinemability shows the real history of handicapped actors in Hollywood and how many things need to be changed in the way they are treated.

This is an educational documentary that will leave you inspired and interested. It also has some humor from actors who are interviewed and many older classic films. The film starts in the late 19th century showing the first handicapped people in films. It goes all the way up to recent films. Many actors talk about their opinions on the matter and what it is like being handicapped. The documentary shows you some films that heavily mock the handicapped as well as films that represent handicapped people very well.

I love this film because it doesn't just look at Hollywood as discriminating against handicapped people. Instead, it looks at movies and movements that have really pushed for equality and it also features handicapped actors who tell the viewer how Hollywood can make improvements. Its 98 minute length fits very well and keeps the viewer's attention the whole time. The most inspirational point in this film is that it is directed by Jenni Gold, who is handicapped herself. She excels at showing that, no matter what people look like on the outside, they are first and foremost people on the inside with their own dreams and aspirations.

My favorite scene is when they talk about Ray Charles, a powerful musician who has been blind all his life. Ray, despite his disability, led a very productive life and became a very powerful and successful man. He proved that he is in charge of his life which is unique and interesting. Jamie Foxx also talks about what it was like to play Ray Charles and to be blind for twelve hours a day. It was inspirational and interesting to listen to him speak.

Cinemability does have some mature topics, so I recommend it for ages 10 to 18 and give it 5 out of 5 stars for fantastic directing, entertaining elements, interesting and educational material and a unique concept. I have to mention that it took close to 10 years to complete this film and was mainly possible due to a partnership between the Geena Davis Institute on Gender Media and Gold Pictures, a company founded by Jenni Gold.

Reviewed by Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.