Ben Stiller has been working hard lately: he wrote, directed, produced and starred in “Tropic Thunder” and with his movie managed to do something (meteorologically) amazing: the “Thunder” engendered a storm … of protests.

Groups representing the mentally disabled gathered outside the Mann Village Theatre and demonstrated against the movie, which is considered to be humiliating the intellectually disabled. The protestors picketed at the Los Angeles opening of the movie on Monday; the gig premieres nationwide on Wednesday. Twenty-two groups, among which the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Congress and the Arc of the United States united to protest against what the movie (probably unintentionally) transmits.

Stiller’s intention was to mock patterns of Hollywood actors willing to do whatever it costs to boost their careers, as it was stated by Chip Sullivan, a spokesman for DreamWorks, the Paramount unit under whose signature the movie is released. “[It] satirizes Hollywood and its excesses, and makes its point by featuring inappropriate and over-the top characters in ridiculous situations. The film is in no way meant to disparage or harm the image of individuals with disabilities,” Sullivan was quoted as saying by ABC News.

On the other hand, demonstrators have convincing arguments. The exhaustive use of the R-word (‘retard’) is definitely prejudicial to the segment of population they represent. The movie contains more than fifteen uses of the word, to which there are added some other synonyms.

Some of the leaders of the demonstrating groups had a talk with DreamWorks co-chair Stacy Snider but reached no understanding. Sullivan stated that there wouldn’t be made any cuts or changes to the film. However, some promotional material was withdrawn, like the slogan “Once Upon a Time There Was a Retard” written under the picture of one of the characters. Also, a Web site promoting the flick, simplejackmovie.com was ditched, too.

“Tropic Thunder” depicts the story of an actor who reached fame by playing Simple Jack, a mentally-challenged character. What enflamed the spirits is the piece of advice the character played by Robert Downey Jr. gives to Stiller’s: “Never go full retard.”

The protestors shared the red carpet with the stars of the movie – Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and chanted “Ban the movie, ban the word,” while marching with signs upon which could be read “R-word = hate speech.” The LA premiere of the film gathered about 200 people, some of them in wheelchairs. As Tim Shriver, chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics highlighted, Monday was the first time all associations united for a joint cause, pinpointing the gravity of the situation.

“Tropic Thunder” is an R-rated action comedy, meant to satirize some actors’ determination to reach fame. Can satire affect some people’s dignity? Let’s also wait for the reactions after the nationwide opening.