When the trailer for Sia’s film Music debuted, the disability community was generally horrified. The film stars Maddie Ziegler playing a character on the autism spectrum, despite not being autistic herself. 

Sia bit back asking people to see the film before they judged it. So that’s just what we did. This week I speak with Sophie Smyth and Bridie McKim, two brilliant actresses who identify as living with disability, Sophie with autism. We discuss the film, casting and the broader ramifications of representation.

Recommended links:

• John in The Shot: https://theshot.net.au/entertainment/australias-media-utterly-failed-autistic-people-in-order-to-defend-sia/?fbclid=IwAR09xfxwnOTiEmNhxaMAt6wXT4dxUdA3hUZlqCaVMSFycQ5loMcjE5mbruc