Albinism in Media

There are many different stories, movies, and opinions around the world about people with albinism. If you have seen my previous post, you already know Jenkins and what he thinks about participatory culture. 

Albinism in movies is usually used in a negative way. Normally, directors or writers lack adequate information about albinism. Furthermore, ignorance of such problem may seriously harm people affected by albinism.

According to Henry Jenkins, the move from spectatorial to participatory culture is a positive thing. An example we could consider is "The Albino Code" by Dennis Hurley. He is actor and comedian who has albinism himself. Here is the link for his parody. In this 12 minute film he challenges and subverts the stereotype and ignorance about albinism in "DA Vinci Code", which was a successful movie. However, there is a also a danger that participatory culture could support stereotypes and depict albinism as evil. There could be parodies that create negative images about albinism.

Here is the LINK for this parody by Dennis Hurley.

In this parody, albinism is used to make the jokes. Some of the jokes are funny. For example, when 4 guys in the car are making fun of the albino by saying that he has to go back to Albania. However, some of the jokes could be considered as a negative element of that parody. When the little girl smashes poor albino guy, it looks like he is an underdog. Even though it is a funny parody, negative elements could be seen. The use of parody has a danger of emphasising the grotesque and comical features of any social group and participatory culture may need to be more positive in its representations.

For example, the movie The Da Vinci Code, directed by Ron Howard, demonstrates the worst misconceptions about albinism and demonstrates its creators' lack of research on that topic. The move from spectatorial to participatory culture, made albinism the stereotype of 'evil'. People could attach negative label or image when they think of albinos, because mass media have a strong impact on its audience. With the development of participatory culture, people are making short movies, posters, web blogs, and mass media as a whole, which could turn albinism into a negative or a positive label.

Before the film's release, several attempts were made by National Organisation for Albinism and Hypopigmentation to persuade the director to not carry in to the film ignorance about albinism demonstrated by the book. These requests were largely ignored by the director of the movie.

The Da Vinci Code wasn't the only movie which used inadequate information about albinism and lacked necessary research about the topic.