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Sia’s New Movie ‘Music’- An Autistic Adult’s View

February 6, 2021 by Jennifer Msumba 8 Comments

Screenshot of Maddie Ziegler playing the role of an autistic young woman named Music

The most controversial scene in Sia’s new movie Music is where Zu, played by Kate Hudson, restrains her half-sister Music, played by Maddie Ziegler face down (prone) in the middle of a park. The moments leading up to the restraint show Music hitting herself and making vocalizations as if going into a meltdown. If you have the stomach for it, you can watch the clip here. 

Although at the time of this writing Sia has claimed that the restraint scenes will be cut from future versions of the film.

Having lived in residential placement since I was 15 years old, I have been through hundreds of prone restraints in my life. They are often violent, especially the takedown where staff would slam me face first onto a mat or the bare floor, with all their weight landing on top of me. Then there is the actual hold, in which some of mine lasted for thirty minutes or more. Staff would often lay their entire body weight across my back, making breathing very difficult. Sometimes I started seeing black because I could not get enough air. And if I complained I could not breathe, the staff response would be “if you can talk, you can breathe.” 

I kid you not. So I can see why this is the most blatant offense in the movie. That in 2021 this is depicted as acceptable treatment of any person is a big problem. Children and adults are dying because of these prone restraints. 

Screen shot from The Autisticats Twitter post showing a video clip from Sia's movie Music

While I was only able to see a short clip of this scene (The movie will not be released in the U.S. until February12th) It was frightening. It shows Music’s older sister Zu sitting on her back as she flails around. Then, as if to add insult to injury, Zu complains that Music is “hitting her.” 

Um…I’m sorry, did you forget you are sitting on top of another human who cannot even verbalize in words if you are hurting her or not? Or if she can breathe?

Nope. It’s all about the neurotypical person and their feelings. 

Now I understand that there are times when a person may become so dangerous to themselves or others, that they must be contained somehow. And honestly, I don’t think society has yet found or maybe accepted a way to do that without traumatizing and/or injuring that person. But prone restraint is certainly not the way. 

But besides the restraint scenes, I have another issue with this movie- The actress who plays Music, Maddie Ziegler, has never identified as being on the autism spectrum. From watching the trailer, it looks as if the writer or director took out the DSM 5 and checked off each symptom on the list. Or maybe they did a Google search and landed on the Autism Speaks page? ←Sarcasm

A shelf lined with medical books

I don’t know, but it was bad. Not every autistic person has every symptom or trait of autism. We are all so different. If they had hired an actually autistic actress for the role and lost the restraint scenes, this could have possibly been a beautiful movie filled with nuance and authenticity. 

But instead it is very insulting, and Ziegler’s performance feels like mockery. It honestly feels as if a neurotypical person is making fun of someone on the spectrum. 

I’m not saying that Ziegler or this movie was intentionally trying to make fun of autistic individuals. I think Sia was trying to make a movie with diverse characters. But she went about it the wrong way. There are so many neurodivergent and disabled actors looking for work.

I actually belong to a Facebook group called Lights! Camera! Access! Which is dedicated to finding work and sharing information for disabled actors, writers, directors, editors, musicians and any other positions in the entertainment business. There are so many resources now. This needs to become common knowledge in the industry and society as a whole. That if you are doing something in the name of a disability, you need to include people who actually have that disability.

I don’t think I will watch Music when it makes its U.S. debut. I don’t want to support it with my money, and I think it would upset me greatly to watch the depictions of restraint and autism in general. Part of me wants to watch so that I can really give it a proper review, but I don’t think I can stomach this one.

I hope Sia doesn’t give up. She is incredibly creative and talented. My hope for her is that she learns from this, and goes on to make music, videos and movies that are authentic to the characters she wants to portray.

Light brown skinned woman with afro smiling

I’m Jennifer Msumba. Autistic musician, writer and filmmaker. Growing up, I never saw myself portrayed on T.V. Someday I hope to make my own movies with an array of diverse characters speaking in their own voices. That would make me really happy. 

You can follow my music here and see my award-winning film here. I would love to have you along for the ride.

Follow The Musical Autist and Elevating Autistic Musicians on Instagram.

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Comments

  1. Mary Lane says

    February 6, 2021 at 10:42 am

    I like your review Jen.
    I follow you and a few others you know on Facebook.
    It’s so sad that someone of her ability couldn’t research the different levels of Autisim and really make a difference.
    But you can and your good at it. I will be looking forward to seeing your movie version in the near future.
    Bye the way, I love your music.
    Your so talented.

    Reply
  2. Debbie says

    February 6, 2021 at 11:18 am

    You are amazing! What a beautiful and thoughtful review.

    Reply
  3. Theresa Dieriex says

    February 6, 2021 at 11:52 am

    Love this Jennifer you are so right keep up the good work.

    Reply
  4. Xan says

    February 6, 2021 at 12:17 pm

    Brilliant review Jen, I haven’t seen it and don’t want to see it. All sounds really that a great dream got dragged down in the creative process. Think outside the box when you’re making films about people but mostly, just ask us and include us.

    Reply
  5. Sandra Sommers says

    February 6, 2021 at 5:06 pm

    Jen wow beatiful reveiw. I love the depth you put into this review. Like you I want to watch it to see what it is about, but at the same time not wanting to watch it for my own personal reasons. Your so talented.

    Reply
  6. Nicole Saylor says

    February 6, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    Beautiful

    Reply
  7. Susan Nickell says

    February 7, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    Jen, I follow you, and you review is so caring on both sides. You know this is such a touchy subject. Glad you didn’t blast Sia. I truly think her heart was in the right place, but as usual, Hollywood got in the way. I think when doing such movies they should at the very least have a Jennifer Musmba as consultant before and while the movie is made. Thank You for your honest review.

    Reply
  8. Jordon says

    February 7, 2021 at 11:48 pm

    Excellent post Jen! Look forward to much more to come!

    Reply

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