Watch Kids' Reviews of
CINEMABILITY

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. This film is playing in select theaters now.

Reviewed by Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

See youth review

This dynamic documentary will take a detailed look at the evolution of "disability" themes in entertainment, from film and TV to the Web, to see if the media has had a hand in transforming the societal inclusion of those with disabilities. Our in-depth investigation has gone behind the scenes to interview Filmmakers, Studio Executives, Film Historians, and Celebrities, and utilizes vivid clips from Hollywood's most beloved motion pictures and TV shows to focus attention on the powerful impact that entertainment and the media can have on society. Do disability portrayals in the media impact society? Or does the media simply reflect the publics ever-changing attitudes? This important documentary explores these questions and more to see if the media has had a hand in transforming the societal inclusion of the disabled, and to prove how an enlightened understanding of disability can have a positive impact on the world.