#MeBeforeEuthanasia: Disability Activists Are Protesting Tonight’s ‘Me Before You’ Premier
WARNING: Spoiler alert for ending of the film.
While rom-com ‘Me Before You’ was only released in Australia today, it’s already receiving a growing amount of backlash. The complaints are coming from protesters and disability activists who believe the movie promotes a potentially harmful message.
For those unaware, (SPOILER, SPOILER, SPOILER) ‘Me Before You’ – a screen adaptation of Jojo Moye’s novel – tells the story of William Traynor. Traynor becomes paralysed from an accident and, after falling in love with his carer, decides to end his life through euthanasia.
Activists are concerned that the message of the film is that disability is something that is related to a tragedy. They argue the film promotes the notion that disabled lives are considered less valuable and that the film romanticises death.
As part of a global collaboration, a Melbourne protest will be held for tonight’s 7pm premiere at Village Cinemas.
"'Me Before You' isn't a romance movie, it's a disability snuff film." Protest tonight at Jam Factory https://t.co/H2GORR5Xb2
— Asher Wolf (@Asher_Wolf) June 16, 2016
With disability activists calling on cinema patrons to boycott the film, giving out flyers and yelling slogans such as:
“Disabled lives are worth living!”, and “Our lives are not a tragedy!”
While a hashtag on Twitter has also jumped into the debate, with #YouBeforeEuthanasia being used as platform for people to show their support for disabled people and take a stand against their often skewed representation in the media.
Solidarity to comrades engaging protest critique of #mebeforeyou. Diversity is life, let everyone live it. #MeBeforeEuthanasia
— Van Badham (@vanbadham) June 16, 2016
Boycotting #MeBeforeYou in my own quiet way. People with disabilities deserve better representation in media. #MeBeforeEuthanasia
— Sal (@muddyringlets) June 15, 2016
Why I’m Boycotting #MeBeforeYou And Why You Should Too https://t.co/O5VbFK8eep Protests in Australia. #MeBeforeEuthanasia
— Not Dead Yet UK (@notdeadyetuk) June 15, 2016
Tonight's look for special #MeBeforeEuthanasia #MeBeforeYou Guide Dog fundraiser. Live tweeting with @carlyfindlay pic.twitter.com/ppe4CLARJl
— Kath Duncan (@kdfreakpride1) June 15, 2016
Despite the backlash, author Moyes has responded, saying that her narrative was inspired by real life person so it’s “difficult to judge”.
Moyes told Stylist magazine;
“I found this story profoundly shocking, I couldn’t understand it. The more I read in to the subject the more I realised that it was an extraordinary situation,”
“Ultimately, this is a love story. It’s about one woman trying to understand a decision she finds incomprehensible,”
Moyes says that “the fact is…nobody else agrees with what [Will] decides to do.”
However, some disability activists have praised the film for its honest treatment of euthanasia and the personal empowerment that can come with voluntary suicide, depending on circumstance.
‘Me Before You’ is released nationally in cinemas today.