Representation of Disability

Coming down the mountain Essay Answer 

The landscape shot of David and Ben walking to the bus stop shows David ahead whilst Ben follows behind trying to keep up. This wide angle shot allows us to view both characters abled and disabled in the same setting doing the same thing.  By placing the disabled character of Ben behind David it almost has connotations and representations that perhaps disabled people are 'behind'/not as good as able people. This is because in the frame David is leading Ben which could suggest Ben is incapable of making decisions and doesn't have the ability to lead himself. Overall portraying the idea that disabled people rely on others for guidance and help in their everyday lives.
In a sequence of shots when David is talking to his friend, Ben is seen in the lower third of the camera angle which shows that he's not important enough to have the camera fully focusing on him. This shot makes the viewer sympathise with Ben as we almost feel as if we are his character in the background who feels left out and confused by whats happening around him. By placing Ben in the lower third of the shot it makes him appear vulnerable and thats what happening around him is overwhelming for him take in. The camera shots also switch between him and David when David is shown the camera is looking up at him and is focused which makes us feel that David is superior to Ben who is shown to be looking down upon. This could overall represent how Disabled people are looked down upon and considered unsuperior and un important, portraying a negative and perhaps stereotypical view of disabled people. However this camera work also puts the viewer in the place of Ben allowing us to emphasis and see what life is like from him eyes, which could be considered empowering to disabled people as we get an insight to their lives and could therefore reflect on our own and the way we judge others.
In the opening clip we can see both characters are divided by the different styles of the same room they share. Ben  the disabled boy has a colourful half of the room with toys and posters, the layout is also very messy and unorganised, which heavily juxtaposes David's side of the room which consists of darker colours with his belongings neat and organised. The contrast in different styles and objects could also represent the contrast in characters and how both boys are very different from one another. Ben's side of the room looks more childish which could show how he needs bright colours and toys to keep him entertained which suggests that Ben is mentally younger than David who has no toys and no vivid colours on his half of the room. From the use of opposite colours and props it highlights the difference between Ben who is disabled and David who is he's abled brother.
When Ben is shown at the bus stop in a series of clips he is always seen with some sort of toys, such as slinky, a squidgy toy to keep him entertained and amused whilst waiting. This represents how he has not matured and has a child's mind which is also a stereotypical view of the disabled. We know Ben is mentally younger as in the clips David his brother who is the same age is seen with no toys and is able to sit still and wait patiently.
Sound also plays a vital role in the representation of disability. When Ben is by himself on the bus, there is sympathetic/emotional sad music in the background which makes us feel sorry for Ben as his brother has left him in this isolated and overwhelming situation. The use of this music allows the viewer to connect with Ben and understand perhaps how he is feeling which is vulnerable and uncomfortable. This portrays that the everyday things we take part in can be difficult and dealt with differently for disabled people allowing us to position ourselves in Ben shoes and deal with his situation. As well as the sympathetic music, the conversations and laughing around Ben have had an echo effect put on and have been increased in volume to impact and add to the overwhelming situation. This also puts us in the place of Ben and makes us feel confused and disorientated as well as overpowered by the people around leaving us feeling vulnerable and exposed. Overall portraying the the difficulties that disabled people face in their everyday lives.
In one shot there has been an edited image of a guns aim from Davids point of view focusing on Ben, the use of this editing suggests that David dislikes his brother and see's him as a potential target or an obstacle within his way, which leads him to envision a life without Ben and how much easier it would be for him if Ben didn't exist. This portrays disabled people as weak, and on a bigger scale a target for things like bullying and discrimination. It could also represent the idea of 'survival of the fittest' which could highlight how David who sees himself as better than Ben e.g the fittest. Whereas Ben is seen as week and therefore David is targeting him. This represents Disabled people as weak and that they can't defend for themselves, as the edited image of the aim shows Ben vulnerable and clueless to what's going on.