Speakers:
Mary Faithfull
Mary Faithfull is one of Texas' leading advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities and their full inclusion in all aspects of society. Herself a person with a disability, Mary has been with Advocacy Incorporated for 19 years and currently serves as Executive Director.
"Freaks"
"Freaks" is a 1932 horror film that tells the story of a trapeze artist who marries a side show "midget" for his money. The trapeze artist is forced to face the wrath of the other circus "freaks" when they learn that she is plotting to kill her husband so she can inherit his money. This movie stars Olga Casanova, Harry Earles and Henry Victor. Other "Freaks" personalities include: Schlitze the Pinhead Girl and the hermaphrodite Joseph/Josephine, whose left/right divided hair is believed to be the inspiration for the hairstyle of Phil Oakey of the band Human League. The movie was adapted by Al Boasberg, Willis Goldbeck, Leon Gordon and Edgar Allan Woolf from the novel "Spurs" by Tod Robbins.
Tod Browning, the director of "Freaks" took the exceptional step of casting people with physical disabilities to play the role of "Freaks". Most directors typically use costumes and makeup on actors who are not disabled to play the role of characters with disabilities. Reaction to this film was so intense that after its premiere, Browning had trouble finding work in his chosen field. "Freaks" was banned in the United Kingdom for thirty years. "Freaks" depicts in its scenes both honest, humane portrayals of people with disabilities and elements that are misleading and exploitative. Some scenes will be considered shocking, even today: the delivery of "the bearded lady's" child, graphic shots of a man with no limbs eating his meals, and the dating escapades of conjoined twins. These scenes depict the reality of living with a disability. The scenes which might be the most shocking to this generation are the ones that illustrate blatant discrimination against persons with disabilities. This includes more than calling the main characters "freaks" and portraying their behavior as freakish. According to this movie people with disabilities were forced to live in segregation. At the beginning of the film a carnival barker tells circus goers that "freaks" have their own language, laws, and ethics.
CTD carefully weighed the costs and benefits of featuring this controversial movie and chose to include it in our film festival line up, as it clearly illustrates early 20th century societal attitudes via its depictions of people with disabilities. Also historically significant is the public outcry generated by this movie, an issue which will be discussed by our panel of experts prior to the showing of "Freaks".
