Earlier this month, Sia announced that she was releasing her debut feature film Music next year. In addition to serving as the soundtrack artist, Sia directed the flick, which sees her frequent collaborator Maddie Ziegler play a nonverbal autistic teen. The casting choice quickly came under fire from autism rights activists, and now a petition to cancel the film is gaining traction.
The petition — available here — was launched by Hannah Marshall, who wrote, "As an autistic individual, I am asking that this film is canceled. It is extremely offensive to myself and other autistic individuals. Sia has shown no remorse for her inaccurate and hurtful betrayal of the community."
Marshall continued, "This film will not have a major impact on history. Canceling it will express that intolerance to neurodivergence is unacceptable in today's society. Sia and her associates have additional avenues for funds; they will survive even if no money is made from this film."
The backlash to the film had previously resulted in numerous trending topics on Twitter, including #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs and #ActuallyAutistic. Sia engaged with the dialogue, although many found some of her replies to be incredibly insensitive.
Sia's movie Music is opening in IMAX theatres in February 2021.
The petition — available here — was launched by Hannah Marshall, who wrote, "As an autistic individual, I am asking that this film is canceled. It is extremely offensive to myself and other autistic individuals. Sia has shown no remorse for her inaccurate and hurtful betrayal of the community."
Marshall continued, "This film will not have a major impact on history. Canceling it will express that intolerance to neurodivergence is unacceptable in today's society. Sia and her associates have additional avenues for funds; they will survive even if no money is made from this film."
The backlash to the film had previously resulted in numerous trending topics on Twitter, including #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs and #ActuallyAutistic. Sia engaged with the dialogue, although many found some of her replies to be incredibly insensitive.
Sia's movie Music is opening in IMAX theatres in February 2021.