manchild (2011)

The film Freaks (1932) is a unique piece of media. It not only features disabled actors playing disabled characters, but those characters are the protagonists of the film. Additionally, the story is interested in their lives, relationships, and romances. We are on their side as they exact their revenge on the two able-bodied villians.

Two scenes from Freaks are juxtaposed here. One scene depicts a man of short stature expressing dissatisfaction at people who assume he is a child and refuse to recognize that he is an adult man. He is very well dressed and speaks with authority. In the other scene, a group of disabled performers from the visiting circus have their leisure time interrupted by two men, one of whom is noticably agitated. The angry man yells at the group, calling them monsters. He wants them removed for trespassing. An elderly female caregiver, speaks for the group saying, "These are children in my circus... So you see, monsieur, when I get a chance, I like to take them into the sunshine and let them play like children. That is what most of them are... Children." The second man, who is better dressed and more even-tempered, nods in agreement with the caregiver and reiterates, "Children." The even-tempered man then assures her, "You are welcome to remain." As the men depart, the caregiver exclaims to the group of performers, "How many times have I told you not to be frightened? Have I not told you god looks after all his children?"

These two scenes present mixed messages. I have cut them together to highlight the contrast in tone. My hope is that viewers might reflect and question the reasons behind the differences in messaging.