Based on a true story, Ron Kovic was an American Vietnam veteran, who was shot in the back and lost the use of his legs as a result.
Representation of disability is given through the characters of Ron Kovic and also through the other war veterans in the hospital he is held at for rehab.
Whilst in rehab Ron Kovic gives those with a disability the representation as being stubborn and unwilling to accept their disability, but also that of being a fighter. This is seen through the scenes where he tries to walk around the hospital as if he had full function of his legs. Also he is seen as a fighter within the scenes of him attempting to exercise his upper body, which he does successfully.
Once he returns home he is able to give off the representation as being a normal person with a usual lifestyle, just restricted to a wheel chair. He gets around freely and can do most things for himself, as does his brother and parents who are not disabled.
As Ron became disabled during the war, it could be sae to assume his fighting spirit may have been with him naturally, and that not all people with disabilities are able to have this fighting spirit.
How is this shown technically through choices of shots and what is the effect on the audience - do you think the audience has a role in this representation or is 'made' to experience anything through the technical codes used.
ReplyDeleteWhich stereotype(s) does he fit into?