Without Apology Documentary Analysis

The secrecy surrounding mental illnesses not only in American history but in different parts of the world is depicted by the documentary Without Apology. This documentary manages to illustrate the sad truth of what life was like to have someone who suffered from a mental illness and how their families would place them in an institution. This film uncovers a taboo of history that had been buried for quite a while and states the medical theories that were used as a justification of the cognitive disability. For instance, this documentary focuses on the story of Alan, a boy who became a sudden secret when he was diagnosed with a severe stage of autism. As a young child, Alan had not done anything to indicate any kind of abnormality within himself, but then as time progressed, it became evident that things were amiss with Alan because he did things a little later than children normally would. Alan had been monitored at all times because of his uncontrollable motions and noises. Because …show more content…
They had no rights, they were discriminated against, they were society’s hidden treasures. Because Alan was not able to talk and communicate to his family and others with words, they underestimated his ability. However, it was evident that Alan was more intelligent than he was believed to be. He was able to understand phrases and do lots of things on his own such as getting dressed and eating. If he had been in an institution surrounded by love and assistance, his advancements would have been greater, but greatness cannot be rushed. Also, the language as to which people with mental disabilities like Alan was harsh. The word retarded has a negative connotation to it and undermines the abilities of the individuals. Back then, there was so much silence surrounding mental disabilities and so much was left unsaid about the individuals who suffered from mental