rave: Patrice the Movie

[jesse_the_k]

Patrice Jetter is a force of nature. She’s joyous in her clothes and her hobbies (sewing, painting, model railroading) and her confidence in small acts of kindness. She found love with Garry Wickham and they want to marry. They can’t afford to because they’re both disabled. Marriage would end their access to US Federal health insurance and income support.

Patrice the Movie is about these two individuals, their dreams, their daily struggles, the disability marriage penalty, and much more. I particularly appreciated seeing cross-disability solidarity in action: seeing their autistic comrade Elizabeth Dicker dealing with the sensory issues of soda-pop can collection was the first of many times I cried.

https://www.patricethemovie.com

I had to watch it in three chunks, because it brought up so many strong feelings. The movie experiments with storytelling to intensify its messages. Patrice’s history is presented on stage with sets she drew. Adult Patrice plays herself through time and children play the adults who dismissed her personhood, didn’t support her, and institutionalized her. This visible age gap reinforces how disabled children are traumatized.

On the plus side, Patrice’s costumes and hair and interiors decoration are outstanding. This "rom-com documentary" follows her and Garry to a marriage equality demonstration in Washington D.C., where Patrice officiates an unofficial marriage ceremony for all those who wish to participate.

Patrice the Movie is currently streaming on HULU in the U.S. It may be available on Disney Plus in other countries (but I couldn’t find a search engine that would tell me.)

Extended audio-described trailer at YouTube

CONTENT NOTES: Verbal harassment; physical abuse and forced commitment; flashing lights.

Comments

[lunabee34]

Thanks for sharing this.

[jesse_the_k]

My great pleasure.

[clevermanka]

This sounds incredible. Thank you for putting it on my radar.

[jesse_the_k]

I'd love to hear what you think, whenever you get a chance to see it.

[clevermanka]

Finally watched this and oh my heart. I agree with you that casting only (disabled) children for additional characters in the backstory sections was brilliant and impactful. I cried SO MUCH. What a fantastic documentary.

Thanks so much

[jesse_the_k]

for letting me know.

I want this one to be screened for all folks who will work with/for disabled kids.

Re: Thanks so much

[clevermanka]

I want this to be screened for all folks, period.

Re: Thanks so much

[jesse_the_k]

Amen.

The movie did win a Merit in Documentary Filmmaking Emmy award, and a standing ovation, and (of course) Patrice's acceptance speech conveys a lot in a few minutes.

https://youtu.be/UxbOuIHVHaE

Re: Thanks so much

[clevermanka]

OMG CRYING AGAINNNNN

[walgesang]

Thanks for mentioning this! I feel like I had heard about it being in the works but then completely forgot about it. I wish this was getting more viewing outside of streaming because it's such an important issue.

I was pleased to see it made the rounds of the network morning shows

[jesse_the_k]

...but then, who's watching network TV any more?

My fingers are crossed it will be set free via PBS broadcast.

[otter]

watching interview of cast & crew and found out Kimya Dawson (music in film ) is her niece.

Nifty!

[jesse_the_k]

I wonder of she helped them get the doc made?