Reader's letter: "Release of No Time To Die means return of seeing scars, burns or marks as shorthand for villainy"

Last week was an exciting time for moviegoers in Sheffield as the latest Bond film finally reached cinemas.
By Catherine Deakin
Published 11th Oct 2021, 12:29 BST
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But the release of No Time To Die also means the return of seeing scars, burns or marks as shorthand for villainy on the big screen.

The daily reality of living with a disfigurement or visible difference is contending with staring and comments.

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Sadly, for too many, experiencing abuse andhate is also a regular occurrence.

Rami Malek playing Safin in the new Bond film No Time To Die. Picture: Nicola Dove/Danjaq, LLC/MGM/PA WireRami Malek playing Safin in the new Bond film No Time To Die. Picture: Nicola Dove/Danjaq, LLC/MGM/PA Wire
Rami Malek playing Safin in the new Bond film No Time To Die. Picture: Nicola Dove/Danjaq, LLC/MGM/PA Wire

Research has found that only one in five people with a visible difference has seen a character who looks like them cast as the hero in a film or on TV.

This combination of the disfigured villain trope – and the lack of representation in any other roles – fuels and legitimises the trolling and harassment of people with visible differences.

Changing Faces campaigners have written an open letter to Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, calling for the next instalment to include a positive character with a visible difference.

We hope that The Star will back this call for change.

Catherine Deakin

Deputy chief executive, Changing Faces

Related topics:READERSheffield