Cripfished by Anna Pakman (United States, 2023) explores how assumptions and first impressions shape dating and social connection when disability is involved. Through its perspective and tone, it asks questions about perception, stigma and stereotypes around autism, blindness and cognitive processing differences. The film situates its themes within adult relationships and mental health, prompting the audience to consider inclusion and prejudice in everyday encounters. Ideal for viewers interested in honest, thought-provoking work about sensory disability and identity, Cripfished is a timely addition to the Focus on Ability programme. Pakman's film aligns with the festival's aim to showcase ability and everyday achievement.
♪♪ Favorite line from the movie? We'll always have... Paris! Casablanca. Only the best movie of all time. Agreed. Hey, what are you doing Saturday? Hanging out with you. Good, because I can't stop thinking about finally meeting you. BTW, I just wanted to make sure you saw my profile. It says I'm looking for someone disabled, like me. Yeah, cool. Don't stress about it. Cool can mean anything. I also told her I'm blind. No! I don't see what the problem is. Girl, what are you going to do? Pretend to be blind forever? When has honesty ever paid? I'll tell you what pays. Selling my palsy privilege to non-disabled people who want to scam their way to the front of the TSA line at Newark. You said you never dated anyone. I am a Jersey 10. I am out of everyone's league. Trust me, by the time this girl finds out the truth, she'll be in so deep, it'll be too late. It's your funeral. ♪♪ Logan? Amy? Oh, hey. Everything okay? There's a chair for you here at 12 o'clock. Sorry, just that when I get excited, my sense of direction gets a little thrown off. But hey, it's finally great to see you. I mean, meet you. Uh, what are you doing? Sorry, I just wanted to get to know what you look like. Not that it matters, really. It's okay. Hello. Did you have a chance to look at the menu, or can I get you? Oh, well, we can't see the menu. We're both very blind. Oh, my God, I'm so sorry. It's okay. I had my phone read it to me. The review said the spaghetti carbonara was pretty good. Oh, well, two spaghettis in. And also, could you play some Stevie Wonder for us? We'd like to hear the music of our people. Yeah, I'll go ask. I'm sorry, is this new for you? Dating? No, I've gone out with lots of people. It's just that I never had this kind of connection the way we had when we were chatting. No, I mean your disability. I'm blind. Oh, that, yeah. It's pretty recent. Radioactive chemical spillage. But I was a kid. That's literally the plot of Daredevil. You lied? I'm sorry, I panicked. When you said you only date blind people, I didn't want to lose what we had. Unbelievable. So you didn't have any feelings for me? If I said no when you asked, it would have been over? I don't know. I just want someone who gets me. I've dated people who don't understand what it's like to be disabled. Every time it doesn't work out. And you don't think I get you because I'm not handicapped? That's exactly what I mean. No one uses that word anymore. Oh, no. What's wrong? This is too much! What's too much? I get these panic attacks, and I'm on the spectrum. And, look, I didn't want to see. I don't want for you to see me this way. Hey, look at me. Let's take a deep breath, okay? Hey, you know autism is a disability, too. I just don't want people to treat me differently. Logan, it's the things that make you different that drew me to you. The way you always text me goodnight. The fact that we both love classic romance films. Even the way you spell guacamole with two L's. Besides, there's a whole disability community out there waiting to welcome you with open arms. Starting with me. Hell yeah, I'm disabled. I thought that to be with me, you would have to be just like me. You thought what you had to offer was not what you want me to see. But we're entwined. And I don't mind. Because now I find that love really is blind.
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