‘Our Hearts Aren’t Disabled’ 3pm March 16th at The Film House
The Department of Applied Disability Studies at Brock University is hosting an insightful documentary screening that brings together students, scholars, community members, and people with lived experience of disabilities. The event will focus on the themes of romance and dating through the lens of individuals facing mobility challenges.
The screening of Our Hearts Aren’t Disabled, a powerful 2021 documentary directed by Josh Dunn, will take place on Sunday, March 16 at 3 p.m. in partnership with The Film House at the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines. This pay-what-you-can presentation invites the community to engage with the film and take part in an important conversation.
Our Hearts Aren’t Disabled examines the romantic lives and challenges of six people living with mobility impairments. The individuals featured in the documentary represent diverse ages, genders, orientations, and ethnicities. Filmmaker Josh Dunn appears both as an interviewer and as a subject, as he shares the difficulties and triumphs he and others have experienced in their journey toward intimacy and connection. The film offers a candid portrayal of the painful realities that can accompany dating with a disability, yet it also presents moments of humor, wit, and resilience, demonstrating that disability does not hinder the power and beauty of human relationships.
With a run time of 85 minutes, Our Hearts Aren’t Disabled provides an honest, thought-provoking look into the challenges of love and companionship for people living with mobility challenges. The documentary has received praise for its maturity and thoughtfulness in handling sensitive subjects like sexuality and intimate partner violence. Some portions of the film contain profanity and humor, reflecting the complexity and range of emotions experienced by the individuals in the film.
“Displays a maturity and thoughtfulness all too rare when focusing on a subject like this,” says Zachary Lee of RogerEbert.com.
After the screening, there will be a post-film discussion with the filmmaker, Josh Dunn, offering attendees a unique opportunity to dive deeper into the themes explored in the film.
This screening is presented in partnership with Brock University’s Applied Disability Studies program, further enriching the community dialogue on disability and the diverse experiences of individuals with mobility challenges.
