Handicapped Future is a thought-provoking documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog. The film explores the different attitudes towards disability in Germany and the United States through several case studies.
The movie begins with an introduction to a quadriplegic man named Dieter, who was paralyzed in a car accident. Herzog shows Dieter's day-to-day life in Germany, where he has access to advanced healthcare, rehabilitation services, and state-funded assistance programs.
Herzog then travels to the United States to explore how the disabled are treated there, and introduces us to a woman named Mary, who is blind and deaf. In America, Mary's education and medical care have been privately funded, and therefore she has less access to resources than Dieter in Germany. Herzog also interviews other disabled Americans who speak to the challenges they face, such as the lack of accessibility in public spaces and the high cost of healthcare.
Additionally, the film also examines the legacy of the eugenics movement in both countries and its impact on persons with disabilities.
Overall, Handicapped Future is a poignant documentary that raises awareness about the disparities in the treatment of the disabled between two developed countries. It serves as a call to action to improve the lives of persons with disabilities everywhere.