About this Short Film
Wheels of fortune (Louise Lenihan, Australia, 2016) follows a young man who uses a wheelchair as he navigates public encounters and the blunt curiosity of strangers. The film centres his voice with a direct, often wry tone that exposes intrusive questions about independence, relationships and bodily privacy while asserting everyday competence and personhood. Rather than eliciting pity or playing to inspiration tropes, it invites viewers to reflect on microaggressions and the small acts of asserting agency in ordinary situations. Short, candid and human, Wheels of fortune offers audiences an honest, thought‑provoking glimpse into lived experience and is a fitting contribution to the Focus on Ability festival programme.
Film Details
Film Transcript
Hello, young man. What are you doing out here by yourself? Is that your carer in there? No, I'm just waiting for my girlfriend. Oh, your girlfriend. It's all right, you'll find someone someday. Are you okay? Are you lost? Do you need help?
Hi, welcome to Lafayette. In your defence... Hi, can I please get the steak medium rare? Certainly. And what will the wheelchair be having? Seen, I don't know, babe, what will you be having? The wheelchair is not hungry, but I'll have the chicken, thanks.
Are you allowed to go out on your own? Where's your camera? Do you know James Crawford? He's in a wheelchair too.
So you have a girlfriend. Is she in a wheelchair too? We're pretty good looking. There's someone in a wheelchair. Are you sure you can't walk? I mean, have you really tried? How can you drive a car if you can't feel your legs? Can you feel when you need to go to the toilet? So can you still have sex? Like, how does it work? How do you do it? I'd kill myself stuck in a chair. Just, doc.
Yes, I am allowed out of my own. Nor not all wheelers know each other. Yes, I do have a girlfriend. No, she doesn't use the chair. I drive a car using hand controls. I've been toilet trained since I was two. I'm pretty sure I can't walk. I've tried really hard and, thank you. You're pretty good looking for someone on legs. Yes, I do have a job. Yes, I can open doors. Yes, I can order my own food and, not that it's any of your business, but I do pretty good in the bedroom, thanks.
Look, I get that you're curious or just trying to be nice, but think about how you'd feel if someone spoke to you like that. How do I do it? I'm more than just the wheelchair. You... you...
Filmmaker
Louise Lenihan is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Louise Lenihan.
An helpful fun way to tell an important story. Really enjoyed this film. Send it around
Wow. I am so sorry about all those people many of whom are idiots. Well done on a great film
Well done Louise Simone Brilliantly messaged. I really hope this will make us all stop and think before we act. Jono - strength determination your will for success - you're an inspiration and I could not be more proud of who you are and what you have achieved.
Wonderful. What a great eye-opener
Brilliant honest and should be a winner for telling an important story that everyone should needs must understand that ignorance is never an excuse for plan old rudeness. Well done I hope your film gets to air across this country and beyond.
What a fabulous way to engage the community and make people much more aware of the impact their actions have on others. Great work best of luck.
Wow What a great film. This guy is faced with so many situations where people just automatically assume he can't do something because he has a disability. Look beyond the disability because we are more than that Good work
Great Video and way to show your perspective - can't believe some of those
Excellent- good luck
And who would of thought......... people in wheelchairs can act too lol.Great work guys - very well done - good luck in the competition
FANTASTIC A great film with a great message. Will be sharing this at my work too.
Well done
A short film that everyone needs to see. Well done to all involved.
Well done all involved Great short movie on the everyday happenings for people with disabilities
Great job guys
I've had several people in my life who have used wheelchairs and I've witnessed firsthand many of the things depicted in this film. People often mean well but they don't realise how offensive their actions can sometimes be even if that is not their intention. I hope this film will help people to understand that you don't need to act differently towards someone just because they use a chair. Very well done.
Loved this
Very good movie
Great short film depicting the realities of today's ignorance towards disabilities. I found the main objective to be that we are all the same mentally just some at a disadvantage physically of which they work hard to overcome and live with . Real strength is never physical. Well done to all involved.
Brilliant job Louise Loved it
I laughed and then I cried - brilliant film that really opened my eyes.
Fantastic very real and clear much enjoyed and very well put together
Good job Louise and Simone Hopefully this will make people stop and think before they act.
This film really highlights the discrimination that we often forget is quite common in our society. A great example for reminding ourselves of the issues facing people with all types of disabilities and what we can do in our lives to reduce discrimination.
Unfortunately we have such a long way to go with disabiluty awareness but i think this film points us in the right direction. It is extremely thought provoking.
This is a really thoughtful film. Funny too
Great film Had me from start to finish.
A brilliant film focusing on real life challenges for people living with a disability. Challenges our preconceptions of discrimination and equality.