Expect

Disability, Sci-fi and VR

Expect

film, 1hr, 1920*1080p

Expect is a sci-fi speculative half documentary half fiction film shot in Virtual Reality (VR) that explores the hidden details behind how disabilities are represented in science fiction literature and media. The film features Chinese actors with disabilities role-playing as sci-fi characters in VR to rewrite, challenge and reimagine the conventional, ableist sci-fi tropes, such as the image of “super-crip” and the transhumanistic tendency to “fix” or eradicate disabilities through the myth of enhancement. As a film made in VR, Expect includes the process of the crew interacting with VR device, which on one hand enable actors to “carry out” things they can’t achieve in reality, but on the other hand brought even more difficulties and barriers, ironically reflecting the nature of the failed promise of technology to an accessible future.

The work situates itself in the context of Chinese ideological environment where eugenics, enhancement and development are taken for granted, and even people with disabilities might hold a very ableism mindset in this circumstance. While showcasing discussions around what is accessibilities of a cityscape and why those are important, the film explores how personal belief leads to different speculative futures, and why it is so difficult for an individual to imagine a future without ableism, even if they are people with disabilities themselves. It is a question of whether a person with disabilities can have as much respect and self-recognition even when they are not “super-crip”, and the answer requires one to fundamentally challenge the Darwinistic logic in Neoliberalism.

Director & Editor & Art Director: Leilei Xia

Actor & Script Writer & Modeling Advisor: Zeyu, Stephen Lu, Jun, Yanyan, Kong Kong, Ning Li, Lulu, Leilei Xia

Cinematographer: Fanxi Sun, Leilei Xia

All the crew are hired and paid with VCU Graduate Research Grant.

《期待》是一部半纪录片半虚构的科幻虚拟现实（VR）电影，探索了科幻文学和媒体中关于残障形象的隐藏细节。影片由残障的中国演员在虚拟现实中扮演科幻角色，目的是重新书写、挑战和重新想象传统的、健全主义的科幻陈规，例如“超级残障人”的形象和通过增强技术来“修复”或消除残障的超人类主义倾向。作为一部在虚拟现实中制作的电影，《期待》包括了剧组与VR设备互动的过程，这一方面使演员能够“实现”在现实中无法做到的事情，另一方面却带来了更多的困难和障碍，讽刺性地反映了科技无法兑现通往无障碍未来的承诺的本质。

这部作品置身于中国的意识形态环境中，在这种环境下，优生学、增强和发展被认为是理所当然的，甚至残障人自己在这种情况下也可能持有很强的健全主义思维。影片展示了关于城市景观无障碍性的重要性及其原因的讨论，同时探讨了个人信仰如何导致不同的未来想象，以及即使是残疾人自己，为什么也很难想象一个没有健全主义的未来。这是一个关于残疾人是否可以在不成为“超级残障人”的情况下，仍然得到同样的尊重和自我认同的问题，这个问题要求人们从根本上挑战新自由主义中的达尔文主义逻辑。

The image shows a person wearing a colorful outfit, primarily blue, pink, and yellow, floating in the air. They are surrounded by large, smooth, and abstract white shapes that curve gracefully. The background is a gradient of soft pastel shades, blending from peach at the top to pink at the bottom, creating a calm and surreal atmosphere.

The image shows a person wearing a white virtual reality headset in a room. They are standing and appear to be adjusting the headset. The room has light blue walls with soundproofing material on the ceiling and a window with a curtain partially open, letting in daylight. There's a white air conditioner mounted on the wall. Subtitles at the bottom say, "A little more left."

The image depicts two people in a room. One person is seated, wearing a virtual reality headset and holding a controller. They are dressed in a vest and cap. The other person, standing and gesturing in the foreground, is wearing a bright, green zebra-striped outfit. The room has light-colored walls and a black door. Clothing items and wires are scattered on the floor, contributing to a casual, tech-focused setting.

The image features an animated scene in a futuristic setting. The main subject is a person wearing a sleek, metallic, and armored outfit with short hair. They have a mechanical arm that is highlighted in a glowing blue color. The background shows a dark cityscape with neon lights, signs, and a blurred building, giving a high-tech vibe. There's text at the bottom that says, "This replaced mechanical arm."

The image shows a character with pink hair lying on a bed. The bedding consists of a red and white checkered pattern with a decorative orange and gray pillow. The character is wearing gloves and looking upwards with an expressive face. The scene includes a wooden floor and a bedside table. Subtitles at the bottom read, "It's hard to turn our body over."

The image shows two animated characters in a dark alley. On the left, a person with white hair is wearing a white lab coat and blue gloves. On the right, another person is dressed in a dark outfit with a cap and a hood. The background features a brick wall with a metal door. There's a purple and blue tint throughout. At the bottom, there's text saying, "It's a very expensive renovation."

The image depicts a person in the foreground wearing a blue cap and hood, looking downward. In the background, another person in futuristic armor is holding a glowing blue, holographic screen. The setting has dim lighting with a cool blue tone, creating a sci-fi atmosphere. Subtitles at the bottom say, "but my salary is not higher."

The image features a close-up of an animated character with pale blonde hair and large green eyes. The character has a geometric, faceted appearance and is wearing a purple outfit. The background is blurred with soft colors. At the bottom, there are subtitles that read, “refused to be assimilated as Unity.”

The image depicts six stylized human figures standing in a futuristic setting. Each person has colorful light beams, in shades of pink and blue, emanating from their heads, converging toward the center. The background is a cool, icy blue, giving a high-tech or digital atmosphere. The figures are dressed in simple, modern clothing. The scene conveys a sense of connection or communication through light.

The image shows a fantastical scene with surreal, colorful elements. In the foreground, there's a whimsical arrangement of large mushrooms, cacti, and various abstract forms. A small figure is seated in the center on a floating, shell-like object. In the background, towering, blue and purple rock formations rise against a bright blue sky. The scene is vibrant and imaginative, with a mix of organic and geometric shapes. Subtitles at the bottom read, "I didn't expect it to have such power."

The image shows two characters in a room. One character on the left appears transparent and ghostly, with a glowing aura. The other character on the right has pink hair and wears black gloves. They are reaching towards each other. There is a table in the middle with a small, golden mechanical device. In the background, there are shelves filled with colorful plates and decorative items. The walls have a brick texture, and subtitles at the bottom read, "I have no feeling down there at all."

The image shows a person with purple hair, wearing a white outfit, at the top of a staircase. They are in a bright pink wheelchair. The setting appears to be indoors, with white and green colors on the walls and steps. The lighting creates a clear contrast, highlighting the person and the wheelchair at the top of the stairs.

The image shows an animated scene on a city street. A person is sitting in a motorized wheelchair on a sidewalk. They're wearing a white shirt and dark pants. The surroundings include trees, buildings with colorful roofs, and a clear sky with clouds. A streetlamp and crosswalk are visible nearby. The scene has a bright and cheerful atmosphere.

The image features colorful, clay-like figures in a playful scene. A figure with dark hair and a white shirt gestures with an open hand, facing another multicolored figure on the right. The background includes a whimsical house with a rounded door and vibrant pink foliage. The scene is bright, with a mix of light and dark colors that create a fun, imaginative atmosphere. Subtitles at the bottom read: "he opens it, and from it pops out."

The image depicts a character with short hair wearing futuristic, shiny gray armor. The armor appears to be made of metal and covers the upper body and arms, featuring angular, robotic designs. One arm seems to be disintegrating or transforming into digital fragments. The background is a soft, light blue with vertical lines, suggesting a modern, digital environment. Subtitles at the bottom read, "Even if it means cutting off."

This image features two animated characters sitting in a room filled with various objects. One character, with pink hair, is seated in a black and red wheelchair. The other character, with short dark hair, wears a puffy white and purple outfit. The setting includes a large, ornate mirror or panel with a blue and gold border, shelves with decorations, and stairs with a page-boy sculpture. Subtitles at the bottom read, "there hasn't been stairs for a long time."

The image depicts a colorful, whimsical village scene. At the center, there's a large tree with dark-colored leaves and branches, surrounded by small, vibrant houses in pink and blue tones with patterned roofs. Snowy ground covers the area, with a few people gathered around, dressed in winter clothing. There are also various oversized objects, including a large bunny figure, adding to the playful atmosphere. The sky is a mix of purple and blue shades. Subtitles appear at the bottom, but they're not the focus.

The image depicts a futuristic scene with three individuals. To the left, a person in a white outfit is lying on a colorful, hovering platform. In the center, another person, wearing a blue outfit with a white belt, is extending a hand. On the right, a figure in a black, armored suit stands facing the others. The setting seems to be indoors, with a brick wall and a visible fire extinguisher in the background. The overall tone is modern and high-tech.