LOS ANGELES (AFP) — A coalition of disability groups blasted Ben Stiller's latest movie "Tropic Thunder" on Tuesday, slamming the spoof war film's repeated use of the word "retard" as "disgusting and appalling."
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) said in a statement it had rallied disability groups urging a boycott of the film, which is released in North America theaters later this week.
Protesters demonstrated at the Los Angeles premiere of the film on Monday, which was attended by "Meet the Parents", "Night at the Museum" and "Zoolander" actor-director Stiller.
The AAPD has taken aim at "Tropic Thunder" for depicting a caricature of an intellectually disabled person -- "Simple Jack" -- played by Stiller's character, an egotistical Hollywood star seeking awards.
Although Stiller has said the sub-plot is intended as a satire on Hollywood, the AAPD described it as a "continuation of the horrifying portrayal of disabled characters in entertainment."
"AAPD is also disgusted at the use of the word 'retard' numerous times in the movie and promotional items for the film," the group said.
AAPD president Andrew Imparato, who met with studio backers Dreamworks last week to discuss the movie, slammed the film after viewing it on Monday.
"Both the use of this word and the appalling portrayal of an intellectually disabled character in this movie are incredibly damaging to people with intellectual disabilities," Imparato said.
"Although the movie is considered satire, this depiction of a person with intellectual disabilities is far from funny."
Dreamworks has defended the film, insisting the humor is intended to lampoon actors rather than people with disabilities.
"Tropic Thunder is an R-rated comedy that satirizes Hollywood and its excesses, and makes its point by featuring inappropriate and over-the-top characters in ridiculous situations," the studio said in a statement.
"The film is in no way meant to disparage or harm the image of individuals with disabilities," it added.
Stiller echoed the Dreamworks statement in an interview broadcast by MTV on on Monday.
"We felt that as long as the focus was on the actors who were trying to do something to be taken seriously that's going too far or wrong, that was where the humor would come from," Stiller said. "[The joke is on] actors reaching for roles in terms of hopefully winning awards."
"Tropic Thunder", which also stars Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr, follows the fortunes of a group of actors who are sent to make a war film only to find themselves in the middle of a real-life conflict.
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