Juliana Carvalho's Callus (New Zealand, 2023) examines how society sees physical disability and the assumptions we carry. Short and thought-provoking, it looks at themes of achievement, inclusion and advocacy while highlighting the lived reality of being paraplegic. The film asks viewers to reconsider stereotypes, stigma and preconceived viewpoints, and to recognise the agency and individuality often overlooked in public conversation. Presented as part of the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, Callus sits alongside other works that celebrate ability and challenge prejudice. It is a quietly powerful contribution to discussions about access, perception and respect.
This callus in my thumb is from actually from pushing the wheelchair. My name is Juliana Carvalho and I would say I'm a disability activist. My right side was more affected and it's kind of like I have a dinosaur hand. To become paralyzed all of a sudden was just like a film, like a movie, you know? You're healthy and you're walking and then just like that, life as you knew is over. I came to New Zealand back in 2012, so it was like a seven-year-long battle with immigration. I've had my residency denied twice. I've been to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal. I faced deportation. I created a campaign, made videos. I dove with sharks. And I almost broke my leg paragliding, trying to change the narrative around disability. I decided to resist because, you know, tell me that I cannot stay here because I couldn't learn the language. Tell me I cannot stay here because I couldn't get a job. Don't tell me that I'm not welcome because of my disability. I am proud to be who I am, you know? I'm proud of this broken body. It keeps me going. So I got my residency back in 2020, but I keep campaigning because fighting this system was by far the hardest thing that I ever faced in my life. And I don't want to see others going through it. You know, it really breaks my heart to see families being split because of this policy. And so now I've been helping people and we now are a group, you know, fighting together to get rid of this policy. And Ash, now. And Ash, now. And Ash, now. So last year I had the privilege to address the United Nations on behalf of this group. And some of the stories that we happen to get out in the media made it to the New York Times. It's just a matter of time, you know, and I'm pretty sure that like in a hundred year time people will look back and they will talk like, oh, can you believe it that, you know, New Zealand used to discriminate on disability grounds? If I believe change is possible, of course I do. Yeah, you just have to keep pushing and keep the callus growing.
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Callus by Juliana Carvalho (2023)
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Callus
by Juliana Carvalho - INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARIES
