Disability Studie In Emmanuel's Gift

Inspirational narratives and Disabilities Studies
In the academic field of Disability Studies, scholars note that the disability community objects to being referred to as “inspirational.” When journalism and the media focus on the “Supercrip,” those extraordinary individuals who achieve amazing things though disabled, they are reinforcing a narrative pattern that repeatedly portrays a disabled person who develops from having a severe disability to super-achiever through incredible perseverance, in the end living a dignified life that approximates “normalcy.” The "overcoming narrative" (the story of a disabled person who may not achieve extraordinary things but is able to overcome the disability and live according to the aspirations, desires, and social norms of the general society) is another narrative type that is criticized in Disability
The film begins with a black screen and a voice over of someone saying: “To set a goal is an honorable and noble thing to do…To complete a goal is even more noble”. After this, there is a fade in into Emmanuel’s house where he is getting dressed. This transition helps the audience make the connection of the quote with Emmanuel’s character. The audience will already know that they are going to see Emmanuel set a goal and achieve it. Afterward, there are multiple shots of a dirt road in the middle of a forested area. In these shots, Emmanuel fades into the image riding his bicycle. In the composition of this image, the lines of perspective technique was used to focus on Emmanuel, our subject of interest. The line of the road converges with Emmanuel’s figure, leading the audience to look at him. The path Emmanuel has to travel in his heroic journey throughout the film is symbolized in the image of this dirt road. The composition of the images in the opening of the film sets Emmanuel apart as the hero and as the stereotypical