SHADOW – Screening In The Screenability Program at SFF

Arts & Entertainment Film Festivals Screen

Mark Morellini
June 13, 2022

Image: Shadow cast. Photo: Jeff Busby.

The Sydney Film Festival is currently screening, and audiences have the opportunity of attending the Screenability Program which highlights the incredible work of filmmakers with disabilities.

“This program is part of a suite of initiatives designed to boost the participation of underrepresented groups in the screen industry,” explained festival director Nashen Moodley. “The focus of Screenability is to showcase films by filmmakers with a disability in a festival context. This is important because it centres the narrative around people with disability.”

Shadow is an Australian 56-minute film that screens in this program, produced by the Back To Back Theatre Company in Geelong. Back To Back Theatre Company develop and host productions created by people with intellectual disabilities. The disabled creators work alongside mentors in most areas of production, gaining the skills required to work in the industry. The principal cast have had anywhere from 7 to 32 years of onstage experience as actors and have also contributed significantly as co-authors of the work.

“Shadow is a film about a group of activists who hold a meeting to warn people of humanity’s demise with the presence of Artificial Intelligence, their message being that AI will overtake humanity and everyone will end up having a disability of some kind,” enthused Meret Hassanen, an Egyptian Australian filmmaker with cerebral palsy who served as associate producer. “But with the physical presence of AI in the meeting, they quickly realise it’s too late.”

The mood of the film is dark and humorous, and the message conveyed is that society must work together to fight the oppression and injustices suffered by people with disability. They generally feel they are being treated as second rate citizens and yet are much more intelligent than people realize.

“The concept of feeling powerless and outspoken is conveyed with references to the historical treatment of people with intellectual disabilities. But the interactions between the characters is hilarious – they realise that they must work together to conquer the AI and this doesn’t always go to plan!” laughed Hassanen.

Behind the scenes of Shadow. Photo: Tao Weis.

When asked whether people with disabilities should come along and watch this film Hassanen was quick to respond. “Yes! Shadow is a great way for people with disabilities to see themselves on screen. But I also think that it’s important for people without disabilities to watch this film as it comments on the ways society view people with disabilities, but with an element of humour which makes it enjoyable to watch.”