Reviews
Awarded “Top 10 DVD” by School Library Journal: “The thoughtful and probing Fixed: The Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement (New Day Films; Gr 9 Up) challenges viewers’ ideas of what it means to be physically fit, as well as what it means to be human, by tackling head-on the assumptions of ableism. The documentary deals with the history of disability rights up to the 21st century, with bionic arms and other enhancements becoming more common. An excellent means to provoke discussion in biology and ethics classes.” — Kent Turner, School Library Journal
Awarded “✮✮✮½ stars” by Video Librarian: “Filmmaker Regan Brashear’s remarkable documentary focuses on the intersection of disability and science. . . . Fixed introduces viewers to the world of the “extra-abled,” or “trans-humans,” along the way exploring some of the ethical and philosophical quandaries that are accompanying progress. While various advocates for human enhancement are interviewed here, there are equally strong points-of-view that there is nothing wrong with accepting a disability and living with it. Others foresee a time when a “rat race” for extra-abilities overtakes more traditional advocacy for issues such as access to buildings. Still others anticipate a wide range of people pursuing extra-abilities in order to get an edge on the job or in school. Debates will carry on, but Fixed offers a powerful introduction to this provocative subject. Highly recommended.” — T. Keogh, Video Librarian
“Our team watched Fixed in a staff meeting Friday morning and we really loved it. It was thought-provoking and emotional and inspiring. My goal was to get us all thinking about our work on a deeper level and to engage in conversation about our assumptions, expectations and limitations and that’s exactly what happened. We intend to invite Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Case Managers to our campus to watch and discuss it in the future. Thank you for creating such an amazing film!” — Nicole Serrett Dummitt, Director of Bluegrass Career Services (Supported Employment), Lexington, KY
“This is a beautifully crafted, provocative film that challenges viewers to think critically about quality of life, disability, and human enhancement. An amazing collection of people with diverse perspectives are brilliantly brought into a fascinating conversation, designed to make us question who we are and who we want to be as humans. It’s an excellent teaching tool! A great introduction to disability studies for the humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, and medicine.“— Sara Goering, University of Washington, Department of Philosophy, Disability Studies Program, and ethics thrust leader for the NSF Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering
“Fixed brilliantly places the voices of disability, queer, and critical race scholars and social justice advocates who would have us pay attention to inequality and discrimination and common humanity, next to the voices of transhumanists and prosthetic and enhancement enthusiasts who believe that their work portends a desirable more than human future, in a way that does justice to each position. This is exactly the kind of conversation that all of our students should be exposed to as we navigate a world of new technologies. Highly recommended for classes in Sociology, Science & Technology Studies, Anthropology, Gender and Women’s Studies, and American Studies.” — Charis Thompson, Chancellor’s Professor & Chair of Women’s & Gender Studies, UC Berkeley
“An ethical and philosophical mind-bender…” — CPH:DOX Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival
“…wonderfully original look at bodily variations…” — B. Ruby Rich, Film Critic and Professor of Social Documentation
“We use the film Fixed on the last day of the Intro to Disability Studies Course at Northern Arizona University, not only because it’s one of the the top disability films that has come out in the past decade, but more importantly, this outstanding film brings together the complex concepts of normalcy and ableism. It’s a great way to end our class and send our students out into the world with the knowledge and desire to improve society for people who happen to be different. This film is greatly enhancing our ability to have a lasting impression on our students and have them truly gain a new appreciation of people with disabilities.” — Matthew Wangeman, MCP Disability Studies Instructor, Northern Arizona University
“…engaging and provocative film for everyone...” — Robert A. Wilson, director of “Surviving Eugenics”
“Fascinating, humane, and provocative reframing of conceptions of ‘normal’ bodies and ‘disability.'” – Gina Maranto, author of Quest for Perfection
“…incisive, balanced, and mind-bending…” — Mary Lou Breslin, Senior Policy Advisor, Disability Rights Education Defense Fund
“I hope all schools are able to show their students this great film …. It is a powerful and moving experience!” — Lisa Kingsbury, English teacher, Dozier-Libbey Medical High School
“This film is extremely important and will be very valuable for faculty from dozens of different disciplines from the biological sciences to disability studies to the humanities and social sciences” — Clark Miller, Chair, PhD Program, Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology, & Associate Director, Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes, ASU
“Fixed will make you think and just as important, it will make you feel. . . The issues this provocative documentary raises are profound and important, and touch all of us.” — Pete Shanks, author of “Human Genetic Engineering”
“You’re a different person after you’ve watch ‘Fixed’. And that’s the point.” — Dave Guston, Director, Center for Nanotechnology in Society, ASU
“The film is accessible, balanced, . . . there is also something entirely new here…” — Stacey Wickware, U.S. History and Medical Ethics teacher, Dozier-Libbey Medical High School
“‘Fixed’ is an authoritative exposé on the use of technology in the quest for physical perfection examining the possibilities for improving the human body.” — Fariba Houman, Director, Human Research Protections Program, Mass Eye and Ear Hospital
“Everyone should see this film.”— Marilyn Golden, Senior Policy Analyst, Disability Rights Education Defense Fund
“. . . [Fixed] presents an important challenge to older, discriminatory ways of thinking about disability. It should be seen by one and all.” — Beth Haller, author of “Representing Disability in an Ableist World” and Journalism/New Media professor at Towson University
“‘…a “must see” film for anyone interested in technology solutions for people with disabilities.. . . expertly illuminates the debate surrounding human enhancement and transhumanist philosophies, while giving a clear voice to those who might be the most impacted–people with disabilities and their ongoing struggles within an “ableist” culture.“— Ray Grott, Director, Rehabilitation Engineering Technology (RET) Project, San Francisco State University, and President-Elect of RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America)
“. . .this documentary is a breath of fresh air...” — Margaret M. Camp, MEd, Director of Disability Services, ADA Coordinator, USC Upstate
“… a highly entertaining, as well as visually and intellectually stimulating presentation, . . . it is highly recommended both to academics and the general public.” — Journal of Responsible Innovation, Film Review by Stevienna de Saille, March 6, 2014. (Entire review is available for free online.)
“With agility, grace, and titanium hip, FIXED prompts us to reflect upon the social and psychological stakes of human engineering. Its brilliance lies in its composition, in its masterful juxtaposition of ways of knowing and inhabiting this world. This stunning kaleidoscope seduces, subverting the reflexive bristle with which we so often disown eugenic narratives. We are left to consider our own humanity in a whole–if blemished–light.” — Tammy Berberi, President, Society for Disability Studies 2012-2014
“Fixed: The Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement is a rare combination of balance, passion, and erudition. What sets this film apart is that it gives space to both sides of an important discussion, allowing protagonists intimately involved with the consequences of contemporary technology as it relates to different bodies to have their say, while never letting go of the director’s point of view. From now on, I will use Fixed in my classes. Once you see it, you will, too.” — Kenny Fries, author of The History of My Shoes and the Evolution of Darwin’s Theory; Faculty, MFA in Creative Writing Program, Goddard College
“Some documentaries move us with their easy sentiments. And then there are the documentaries that stun us with their vitality, immediacy, potency, and excitement. Eric Neudel’s 2007 (and already a classic) documentary “Lives Worth Living” tracing the rise of disability rights in the USA is one such film. “Fixed” is another. . . “Fixed” is more than a thrilling demonstration of the power of innovative technology in people’s lives. It is also a philosophical and ethical treatise. It deeply engages the audience with diverse, provocative and sometimes contradictory arguments about the rights of people with disability to use or not to use technological innovations that might improve the quality of their lives. Those same contradictions illuminate all the more powerfully the rights of people with disability to make their own choices about how they live their lives.” — Donna McDonald, author of “The Art of Being Deaf: a memoir”
“Fixed is an extraordinary film, taking us on a tour through the dilemmas — ethical and otherwise — of living in a culture in which the “science-fiction of human enhancement” has become almost a way of life, from prenatal genetic screening to bionic body parts. . .The engaging and thoughtful cultural activists [in Fixed] lay out some of the most complex dilemmas that our culture’s technological wizardry presents to us. They talk with great clarity, as well as philosophical and personal engagement, and invite us into an ongoing dialogue that is essential to the human condition in the 21st century.” — Faye Ginsburg, Director, Center for Media, Culture and History; David B. Kriser Professor of Anthropology; and Co-Director, Council for the Study of Disability at NYU
“I have screened Fixed in my assistive technology class at Stanford for the past two years. The characters highlight their lives, capabilities, and their varied view of their disabilities. The film stimulates lively class discussions and ethical questions about how future technology could be brought to bear on disability.” —David L. Jaffe, MS in Biomedical Engineering; Perspectives in Assistive Technology instructor, Stanford University