Crips on Celluloid

Within the digital corridors of this website, you shall find various facets of my professional life, ranging from accessibility audits to the governance of artificial intelligence. However, there exists a particular dimension of my world that transcends the boundaries of policy and technical standards. As I have noted elsewhere on this site, beyond work, I draw on cinema and storytelling as spaces for reflection on empathy, transformation, and social change. This enduring passion for the moving image has culminated in a dedicated project that I am delighted to introduce: Crips on Celluloid. This initiative is a personal labour of love, acting as a bridge between my private fascinations and my lifelong devotion to cinema.

Crips on Celluloid is not merely a collection of film reviews; it is a critical intervention in how disability is perceived, portrayed, and produced in our shared cultural consciousness. For far too long, the stories of disabled individuals have been told through a lens that is either pitiable or unnecessarily heroic, often written and performed by those who have no lived experience of disability. This project seeks to dismantle these tired tropes and replace them with authentic, nuanced, and powerful narratives.

The name itself is a deliberate and provocative choice. We proudly reclaim the term "Crip" as a badge of identity and disability pride. It is a word that has been used to marginalise us, but here, it serves as a symbol of our community's resilience and agency. The term "Celluloid" pays homage to the traditional medium of film, acknowledging the profound history of visual storytelling while we look toward a more inclusive future in digital media.

When you visit Crips on Celluloid, you will encounter a variety of offerings designed to provoke thought and encourage dialogue. We provide in-depth reviews of films, television shows, and web series, examining them through the lens of disability studies and social justice. We challenge ableist narratives that have become so ingrained in our media that they often go unnoticed. By spotlighting authentic portrayals and celebrating inclusive storytelling, we aim to transform the viewer from a passive consumer into a critical observer.

Our mission is tripartite. Firstly, we aim to spotlight authentic portrayals of disability that reflect the true diversity of our lives. Secondly, we actively challenge the narratives that perpetuate exclusion and stigma. Thirdly, we celebrate the artists and storytellers who are getting it right, those who understand that disability is a natural part of the human condition rather than a problem to be solved or a tragedy to be mourned.

I invite you to join this conversation and explore the latest reviews and insightful articles. Whether you are a cinephile, a student of media, or an advocate for social change, you will find something that resonates within these pages. Cinema has the unique power to bridge the gap between different lived experiences, and through Crips on Celluloid, we hope to harness that power to build a more empathetic and accessible world. Please do visit us at www.cripsoncelluloid.in and become a part of this movement to reframe disability in media.