LOS ANGELES, July 6: The Ruderman Family Foundation, a leading disability rights group, has criticised new film “Blind”, starring Alec Baldwin in the role of a novelist who loses his sight in a car crash.
The private philanthropic group, known for advocating the casting of disabled actors, has slammed the film’s makers for choosing an able-bodied actor as the blind lead, reported Variety.
“Alec Baldwin in ‘Blind’ is just the latest example of treating disability as a costume,” Jay Ruderman, the foundation’s president, said in a statement to the L.A. Times.
“We no longer find it acceptable for white actors to portray black characters. Disability as a costume needs to also become universally unacceptable.”
The Ruderman Family had also criticised the 2016 romantic drama “Me Before You” for casting Sam Claflin as a young banker, who was left paralysed from an accident.
“Blind” also stars Demi Moore as a married socialite who cares for Baldwin’s character as part of a plea bargain. The two develop a love affair, leaving Moore’s character to choose between Baldwin’s and her husband.
The film, directed by Michael Mailer, is scheduled to release worldwide on July 14. (PTI)
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