Emilia Clarke's romance film Me Before You riles disability activists

Me Before You, a romantic taleaboutalife-changinglove affair, is arriving on the big screen amid a storm of protest aboutits portrayal of people with disabilities.

In recent days,disability rights activists have protestedthe film in person and online. It hitsCanadian theatres this Fridayfollowing premiere events last week in New York and London.

Based on thebestsellingnovel byJojoMoyes, the movie starsGame of Thrones'EmiliaClarkeasa woman (Lou)who becomes a caregiver to a youngquadriplegic (SamClaflinasWill). The pair fall in love, with Will urging Louto expand her horizons while he contemplates assisted dying.

• Author Sandra Martin talks about assisteddying in Canada
• Dealing with death: MPs reflect on the end of life

The movie'staglineshared on social media as#LiveBoldly, areference to Will'sadviceto Louisahas been co-opted by protesters whofeel the storypresentsher able-bodiedlife as havingvalue, whilehis does not.

Detractors are usingthe movie's hashtagto questionwhy a disabled person can't be seen to "live boldly."

British writerMoyes, who also wrote the screenplay,defendedMe Before You, saying it'sabout one man and thepersonalchoices he makes for himself,not a comment about people with disabilities in general.

"I think it's true to his character," she told CBC News earlier in May.

"What was really important to me was that the decisions that he made were true to who he was,whichwas somebody who was determined to live his life how he wanted to."

Me Before You true to one man's choice, says Jojo Moyes

8 years ago

Duration 0:36

The novelist and screenwriter says her bestselling story is about a life decision made by one character and not a general comment about people with disabilities.

According toMoyes, those who have seen the movie "seem to feel just uplifted, because I think they understand the process of why he makes the decisions that he does. So that's what I hope people take from it."

Pickets at premiere

Members of thegroupNotDead Yet,who campaigned against a Britishbill that would havealloweddoctor-assisted dying for terminally ill people,picketedthe film'sLondon premiereonMay 25.

Activistssaymovie studios rarely showpeople with disabilities, andwhen they dothe roles tend to betragic figures andnot people with lives to be celebrated.

Following the London premiere, Clarke told media thatshe feltprotesters were failing to understand thatthe film is showing just "one point ofview."

Meanwhile, devotees of the book, which has sold more than six million copies sinceits 2012 release, have eagerly anticipated seeing the emotional story on film. Fans have praised the tale as empowering.

"When the material comes along that makes you jump for joy and want more than anything in this world to play that part, then I know that's the role that I want to do,"Clarke said in an interview with CBC.

Women-led Me Before You set 'so cool,' says Emilia Clarke and Jojo Moyes

8 years ago

Duration 1:57

The star and writer of the new romance movie Me Before You talk strong female roles and the joys of a female-led production.

The Britishactress, who portrays the strong-willed Daenerys TargaryenonGame of Thrones, saidthat portraying a femalecharacterof substanceis key for her.