TITLE:
Myth and Realities: Analyzing Disability Representation on the Bangladeshi Silver Screen
AUTHORS:
Reffat Ferdous
KEYWORDS:
Disability Representation, Bangladeshi Films, Cultural Myths, Otherness, Social Exclusion
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Journalism and Communication,
Vol.12 No.2,
June
20,
2024
ABSTRACT: Disability representation in Bangladeshi film is a multifaceted and often contentious subject, serving both as a mirror reflecting societal beliefs and a lens through which cultural myths are disseminated. Drawing insights from the social model of disability and Ronald Barthes’ concept of myth, this paper examines the portrayals of disability in Bangladeshi films over the past three decades. Through a content analysis of three films on disability, Shuva (2006), Ostitto (2016), and Raat Jaga Phool (2021), the discussion elucidates how disability is often mythologized, serving as a plot device, a form of punishment, or a metaphor for passive heroism and comedic relief. Thus, it reveals significant distortions that strengthen societal prejudices of labelling disabled people as “other” and hinder their inclusion in mainstream society. Furthermore, gender roles within a patriarchal society are explored, highlighting how disabled female protagonists are marginalized and confined to roles of dependency and pity. The paper also critiques the romanticization and misunderstanding surrounding disability treatment and remedies portrayed in Bangladeshi films that establish able-bodied norms and overshadow the agency of disabled individuals. Therefore, it calls for a more authentic and inclusive representation of disability in Bangladeshi films.