Film Review of 'Margarita with a Straw'- Exploration of Sexuality by a Woman with Disability

Cinema is a tool for positive social change within social work. It is a powerful tool for challenging deeply rooted social stereotypes in society. Cinema would provide a robust and in-depth portrayal of the lives of women with disabilities who are subject to double and triple oppression. Especially in dominant discourses, social models often interpret phenomena such as disability and femininity through narratives of pity, past karma, and social discrimination. The profession of social work aims to create well-being for marginalized citizens whose rights are violated in everyday life. In disability and social work, media, such as cinema, could critically analyze social models of women with disabilities. This review examines disability representation, focusing on Shonali Bose's 2014 film Margarita with a Straw, which explores the sexuality and intimacy of a young woman with disabilities. The film is relevant to a country like Sri Lanka in the South Asian region. Indian cinema has often highlighted the struggles and resilience of people with disabilities in their daily lives. Themes such as sexuality, intimacy, love, and relationships have been explored to a limited extent, especially in Hindi films. These dimensions of human life, often neglected in the South Asian region itself, must be addressed. The review uses content analysis to explore cinema as a medium. Finally, the film emphasizes the potential of films as social work tools for women with disabilities and also as tools for advocating for their rights and visibility.