Australian audiences will be the first to see Sia's new musical-drama movie, 'Music', when it releases nationally in cinemas on 7 January, 2021.
Directed by Sia, with the screenplay co-written by her and American author-illustrator Dallas Clayton ('Awesome Book' series), 'Music' follows Zu (Kate Hudson), a free spirit barely able to take care of herself who is newly sober.Zu receives news that she is to become the sole guardian of her half-sister named Music (Maddie Ziegler, who has appeared in Sia's videos: 'Chandelier' and 'Elastic Heart'), a young girl on the autism spectrum.
Struggling with this newfound responsibility, Zu turns to Ebo (Leslie Odom Jr.; 'Hamilton'), a neighbour whose own family story makes him someone Zu can learn from and rely upon.
Fantasy musical sequences throughout the movie show how Music views the world, with Sia having written ten songs for the film, releasing three so far: 'Together', 'Courage To Change', and 'Hey Boy'.
The film has also courted controversy, with Sia facing backlash for casting Ziegler ahead of an autistic actor, to portray a nonverbal, autistic character in the film.
Disabilities rights advocate and actress Marlee Matlin ('The West Wing', 'Quantico') spoke out on the issue.
Dear @Sia, With respect as a fellow artist, is this the kind of response you want people to see when discussing such an important topic such as people with Autism? Please don't be deaf to what they have to say. Marlee Matlin — Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) November 21, 2020
