Alex Arabian May 14, 2021Updated: May 14, 2021, 7:31 am
In the Hulu film “Run,” Kiera Allen became the first wheelchair-using actor to star in a major feature thriller since Susan Peters’ role in “The Sign of the Ram.” That was in 1948. Photo: Allen Fraser, Hulu
Since the late 1980s, you may have noticed a paradigm shift in film and television toward authentic disability representation. Not only has this provided more roles for people with disabilities, but it has also helped to destigmatize and normalize their stories to audiences around the world.
After earlier roles for people with disabilities used them mostly for humor, horror or disgust, this second wave aims to debunk notions that having a disability constitutes less than “normal,” or that it defines someone.
A feature film with a Wilmington-area cast and crew is ready to watch. Drought is now available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Set in a small drought-ridden North Carolina town in 1993, it features actors who ve worked on other Wilmington projects such as Hannah Black ( Uncle Frank ) and Drew Scheid ( Words on Bathroom Walls ).
Black and Megan Petersen are the creators with Mark and Jay Duplass executive producers.
The movie s main character Carl (played by Owen Scheid), who is on the Autism spectrum and fascinated by weather, predicts a storm will soon hit nearby. His sister Sam (Black) crafts a plan to help him chase the storm, stealing their mother’s ice cream truck to embark on a road trip about family, forgiveness, and following your dreams.