Cabbage

Holly Márie Parnell’s film Cabbage (2023) examines the complexities of bodily autonomy within an ableist paradigm. Parnell focuses on her brother, David, particularly his texts written with the assistance of eye-tracking technology – he comments his “eyes are his voice,” which is made visible through poetry. Parnell juxtaposes medical narratives with testimony from David and their mother, including memories and reflections on various topics, from the minutia of daily life to questions of disability. Parnell creates an intimate portrait of her family and considers the relationship between empathy and the politics of care.