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THE nomination of the short documentary film Music by Prudence for the Best Documentary Short in this year’s Oscar awards has brought about fresh hope and inspiration among disabled children and their parents, as well as rights campaigners.
Music by Prudence tells the story of how Liyana, a group of disabled Zimbabwean youngsters who started off as students at King George VI rehabilitation centre in Bulawayo, managed to find social acceptance through their music, despite the deep rooted negative perceptions and superstitions about disability.
It focuses mostly on 21-year-old Prudence Mabhena, the group’s lead singer who is also a songwriter.
“Her story is of many of the disabled kids of Africa, a story of abandonment and abuse.
“But Prudence and her seven young band members, all disabled, have managed to overcome stereotypes and inspire the same people that once saw them as a curse,” reads a synopsis of the documentary on the website of Ithemba Productions, the producers of the documentary.
Ithemba productions are headed by filmmaker and producer Roger Ross Williams, who collaborated with former National University of Science and Technology (NUST) lecturer Elinor Burkett in the production.
As soon as news broke out that the film had been nominated for the Best Documentary Short in this year’s edition, visitors on the group’s fan page of social networking site Facebook said the group’s achievement was a great proof that disability is not inability.
“Show the world that physical disability is not inability,” wrote Laiza Mailes.
Another visitor to the page, Sabine Gebele said the group was churning out “amazing music and amazing courage”.
“You are a brilliant example and inspiration to anybody who cares to ‘listen’ in all senses of the word,” said Gebele.
Tracey Schalk, who has Arthrogryposis, described Prudence as “an amazing woman”.
Arthrogryposis is a congenital disorder that is characterized by multiple joint contractures and can include muscle weakness.
The same sentiments were shared by Annie Kelly and Karen Nolan Davison, both of who have daughters with Arthrogryposis.
“My daughter has Arthrogryposis and what you and the band are doing for the disabled is truly inspirational,” wrote Kelly.
Another visitor to the page, Colette Allen said she would share the group’s achievements with her disabled baby.
“So inspiring! My baby is 16 months old with Arthrogryposis and he loves to sing, has such a good ear for music - I will show him how amazing you all are,” Allen said.
One of the producers of the documentary, Patrick Wright, described young Prudence as “a beautiful woman who can sing like Aretha Franklin… a flower in the crack of a decaying sidewalk”.
“We didn’t think it was the kind of film you get famous on. ...We never thought we’d be up for an Oscar,” Wright was quoted as saying.
The awards will be held on March 7 in Los Angeles.
BY VUSUMuZI SIFILE
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