Ana Volenweider

News

4 Feet: Blind Date Is a Captivating Film Showing That Disabled People Have a Right to Their Sexuality

By Disabled Magazine / 2019-04-25

“For me, this film is about telling a different story, or a different perspective of the same story that everyone lives.”

In the short film 4 Feet: Blind Date, Juana is like most other 18-year-olds. She plays around with her style, dying her hair a bright blue. At the kitchen table, she bickers with her mom and sister. After swiping through dating apps, she’s nervous about her first date with a cute guy who she hopes to hook up with. But unlike most teenage stories we see in film, Juana is living with a disability and uses a wheelchair.

Unlike the usual portrayals in pop culture of people living with disabilities, 4 Feet is no after-school special. Although Juana (portrayed by Delfina Diaz Gavier) is fictional, her experiences are meant to be depicted as realistically as possible. That’s largely because of the team behind the film: director María Belén Poncio, VR and sound director Damián Turkieh, producer Ezequiel Lenardón, and lead writer Rosario Perazolo Masjoan, who uses a wheelchair herself and is a disability-rights activist.

“For my experience growing up as a disabled person, I had so many questions that I couldn’t answer because all my friends and the internet have so many different experiences than me,” Rosario told Teen Vogue. “For me, this film is about telling a different story, or a different perspective of the same story that everyone lives.”

 

The film follows Juana after she matches with a guy (Cristobal Lopez Baena) on a dating app and they agree to meet up, though she doesn’t tell him that she uses a wheelchair (which is completely within her right). Juana isn’t afraid to admit at the kitchen table that she wants to have sex, a conversation that makes her mom uncomfortable. The teen doesn’t take bullshit from anyone, essentially telling off a woman on her bus who thinks Juana’s destination is any of her business. She has a lighter side, joking with a friend over text and teasing a boy who comes up and asks about her wheelchair. Audiences get an inside look into Juana’s life and her access to the world, everything from the irresponsible drivers almost hitting her and the sluggishness of a bus’s accessibility ramp while waiting to get off. Another interesting aspect of 4 Feet is that it’s a VR film that was shot in 360-degree video. This provides audiences with an immersive experience, being able to see the entire environment of the movie’s scenes. It’s also accented with beautiful, colorful illustrations that usually pop up when Juana is in deep thought or feels some sort of strong emotion. Through its powerful plot and thoughtful use of technology, it was even named the best 360-degree video at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival by The Verge.

Courtesy of Sundance Institute/Ana Volenweider

Audiences can connect to the fact that first dates are awkward for everyone, but are reeled in by watching how Juana navigates this particular experience while living with a disability. She debates telling whether or not telling her date about the wheelchair. While hooking up, her consent and what she wants is arguably more vocal than most people.

“One of the goals that we had was also to de-dramatize disability and sexuality,” Belén told Teen Vogue. “As Rosario has said, there is a lot that people don’t see, or don’t talk about it. And we wanted kind of laugh, to say that it’s okay, you can laugh about this.”

The story jumps between the lead up to Juana’s date and her experience in the bedroom. While the script was initially linear, the filmmakers found that in VR the cuts between scenes didn’t feel organic. The bedroom scene ended up being fairly long, but there were different points of interest that they wanted to highlight. So they spliced it up. Each time the film jumps back to the bedroom scene, it’s one of those moments, whether it’s them first getting comfortable or Juana asking to be moved to the bed. It also creates a bit of tension for the viewer, wondering what’s going to happen next during the hook up when the film reverts back to Juana’s journey to the first date.

 

About Post Author

Disabled Magazine

See author's posts

You may also like

119 thoughts on “4 Feet: Blind Date Is a Captivating Film Showing That Disabled People Have a Right to Their Sexuality”

  2. Status Liker, Autolike, autoliker, autolike, Autoliker, Auto Like, Increase Likes, Status Auto Liker, Photo Liker, ZFN Liker, auto liker, auto like, Autolike International, Autoliker, Photo Auto Liker, Auto Liker, Working Auto Liker

  3. Fantastic items from you, man. I’ve consider
    your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely excellent.
    I actually like what you have got right here, really like what you are stating and the best way in which you say
    it. You make it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to keep it sensible.

    I can not wait to read far more from you. That is actually a great web site.

  4. Hey terrific website! Does running a blog such as this require a massive amount work?
    I have no knowledge of programming but I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow, if you have any
    suggestions or tips for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off subject nevertheless I just needed
    to ask. Thanks!

  6. Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this web site before but after browsing through
    some of the posts I realized it’s new to me.
    Regardless, I’m definitely delighted I came across it and I’ll be book-marking it and
    checking back frequently!

  7. We are a gaggle of volunteers and starting
    a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable information to
    work on. You’ve performed a formidable job and our entire community will likely be thankful to you.

  14. Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading
    it, you could be a great author. I will always bookmark your
    blog and may come back from now on. I want to encourage you continue your great job, have
    a nice morning!

  15. Greetings from Florida! I’m bored to death at work so I
    decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break.
    I enjoy the info you present here and can’t wait to
    take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, great blog!

  21. I do not even know the way I finished up here, but I believed this post was good.
    I don’t understand who you might be but definitely
    you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already. Cheers!

  22. This is really attention-grabbing, You’re an excessively
    skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and stay up for in quest of more of your wonderful post.
    Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks

  23. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to mention that I’ve really loved surfing
    around your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing
    in your feed and I hope you write once more soon!

  25. Hi, I believe your web site could be having internet browser compatibility issues.
    Whenever I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it’s got some
    overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Besides that, excellent website!

  26. I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your blog.

    Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
    A few of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome.
    Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?

  29. I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog.

    I’m hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as
    well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own,
    personal site now 😉

  30. Hey! I understand this is somewhat off-topic but I needed to ask.
    Does running a well-established blog like yours require
    a massive amount work? I’m brand new to operating a blog but I do write in my journal everyday.
    I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my personal experience and thoughts online.
    Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations
    or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!

  32. I got this website from my buddy who told me about
    this web site and now this time I am browsing this site and reading very
    informative articles or reviews at this time.

  33. Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide
    credit and sources back to your website? My blog site is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would certainly
    benefit from some of the information you provide
    here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Cheers!

  39. It is in reality a nice and useful piece of information. I’m happy that you just shared this useful information with us.
    Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  41. It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this fantastic blog!
    I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed
    to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and
    will share this website with my Facebook group.

    Chat soon!

  43. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having
    trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail.
    I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might
    be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it
    develop over time.

  48. Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.|

  52. I truly love your site.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you create this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my very own site and would love to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Kudos!

  61. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a applicable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered brilliant transparent concept|

  64. Howdy, I think your site could be having web browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, great site!|

  70. This design is spectacular! You certainly know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!|

  73. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!|

  74. Hey I am so happy I found your web site, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Google for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a incredible post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the superb job.|

  76. Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.|

  79. Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!|

  80. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!|

  81. I’m curious to find out what blog platform you have been utilizing? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest site and I would like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any suggestions?|

  87. Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have really loved surfing around your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing on your rss feed and I am hoping you write once more soon!|

  88. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.|

  90. I simply couldn’t leave your site before suggesting that I really loved the usual info a person supply on your visitors? Is going to be back incessantly in order to check up on new posts|

  91. Hello this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!|

  92. Just want to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your post is simply great and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.|

  93. Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info specifically the ultimate part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a very lengthy time. Thank you and good luck. |

  94. I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own blog now ;)|

  95. Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!|

  97. Thank you a lot for sharing this with all of us you actually recognise what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally seek advice from my site =). We can have a hyperlink change contract among us|

  100. This is really fascinating, You’re an overly professional blogger. I have joined your feed and stay up for searching for more of your wonderful post. Additionally, I have shared your web site in my social networks|

  102. The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!|

  103. Hey there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!|

  104. This is the right site for anybody who would like to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic that has been written about for many years. Great stuff, just wonderful!|

  105. I feel that is one of the such a lot significant info for me. And i’m satisfied reading your article. But want to statement on few common issues, The website style is wonderful, the articles is truly excellent : D. Excellent job, cheers|

  107. I think that is among the such a lot important information for me. And i am satisfied studying your article. But want to remark on few basic issues, The site style is ideal, the articles is truly nice : D. Excellent job, cheers|

  111. I believe everything posted made a bunch of sense. But, what about this? suppose you wrote a catchier post title? I mean, I don’t wish to tell you how to run your blog, however what if you added a post title to possibly grab folk’s attention? I mean BLOG_TITLE is a little vanilla. You could glance at Yahoo’s home page and note how they create post titles to grab people interested. You might add a related video or a pic or two to get readers interested about what you’ve got to say. Just my opinion, it would bring your posts a little livelier.|

  115. I just want to mention I’m newbie to blogs and absolutely enjoyed your blog site. Almost certainly I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You amazingly come with exceptional articles. Bless you for sharing your webpage.

  118. Pingback: Google
  119. Pingback: Google

Leave a Reply