‘Deaf President Now!’ Review: Davis Guggenheim and Nyle DiMarco’s Doc Gives the Deaf Rights Movement a Compelling Spotlight

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About two weeks ago, without any particular provocation, a small group on the platform once called Twitter identified the increasing presence of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at press conferences and public gatherings as the most significant cultural annoyance of the time.

For just a fleeting instant, there arose an aimless burst of anger that served as a stark warning about the readiness in certain individuals to minimize any signs of compromise and obliterate even the slightest advancements.

Or, more informally:

It was a quick flash of pointless rage that showed us how fast some people are to dismiss tiny acts of understanding and wipe out even minor improvements.

Don’t overlook the insightful and motivating lesson in Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim‘s latest Apple documentary, “Deaf President Now!”. This film offers a clear and powerful perspective on the significant strides made in deaf rights and the ongoing importance of these advancements.

The new Apple documentary “Deaf President Now!” is an efficient and inspiring source for understanding the importance of progress made in deaf rights.)

In the realm of documentaries about social movements, Deaf President Now! stands out as a significant contribution to the genre. It offers an insightful look into the unique facets of the Deaf rights movement, while simultaneously highlighting similarities with contemporary struggles for visibility and acknowledgement. Although I believe there could have been more details added by DiMarco and Guggenheim, the documentary is enriched by its remarkable quartet of central figures and its dedication to telling the story in a way that reflects the distinct characteristics of this movement.

The film centers around a span of eight days in 1988, following significant events that unfolded after the appointment of a new president at Gallaudet University – the world’s first institution for the deaf. This decision was made by the university’s board, primarily comprised of hearing individuals, who selected Elisabeth Zinser, an educator with a nursing background. Interestingly, Zinser had no affiliation with Gallaudet or the deaf community and wasn’t proficient in sign language. Two Deaf candidates, including I. Jordan King, the school’s dean, were overlooked for this position.

Up until that point in its 124-year existence, Gallaudet University had never been led by a Deaf president. The appointment of I. King Jordan, however, ignited eight days of demonstrations, centered around a group of four students: Greg Hlibok, Jerry Covell, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, and Tim Rarus.

The documentary selectively chooses its interviewees from the quartet famously recognized as the DPN 4, alongside King.

The documentary’s focus is somewhat narrowed down. It would have been intriguing to get an external perspective on the political situation at Gallaudet before the DPN protests, as well as a broader understanding of the Deaf rights movement overall. Additionally, insights from a Gallaudet board member before this turmoil could have provided useful context.

The importance of focus is evident, as the directors skillfully employ the four activists and their personal histories to illuminate various facets of Deaf culture and the historical disenfranchisement of Deaf people in America. This exploration extends back to the questionable legacy of Alexander Graham Bell and the education system’s attempts to assimilate Deaf students, aiming to eliminate Deaf culture. In my opinion, while a broader introduction might not have caused harm, it was also unnecessary as the story of “Deaf President Now!” stands strong on its own.

Having Greg, Jerry, Bridgetta, and Tim in the documentary “Deaf President Now!” allows it to accomplish one of my favorite feats for great movement origin stories – shattering the stereotype that any underrepresented group is a single entity. Each of these individuals hails from distinct backgrounds, has taken unique paths to Gallaudet, approaches the Deaf community in different ways, and communicates in their own individual styles. It’s enlightening to observe Jerry, who boldly and passionately signs with the entire screen at his disposal, criticize that Greg became a spokesperson for their group because he was more presentable and reserved, signing smaller – only to witness Greg’s transformation as a speaker throughout those eight days.

Four individuals forged an unbreakable bond, making their union highly visible and intense. Even after nearly four decades, their disputes remain as vibrant and applicable as ever. The lesson that those striving towards shared objectives don’t necessarily have to see eye-to-eye on every matter is still insightful, as is the understanding that not all paths to activism are straightforward – a concept beautifully illustrated by King’s transformation from an unsure employee to a powerful figurehead.

In the movie “Deaf President Now!”, the main interviews are carried out using American Sign Language (ASL), along with voiceovers from actors. This particular approach may not always enhance the content, but it does demonstrate a remarkable dedication to representing various forms of language and ensuring accessibility. Truly, this commitment is nothing short of praiseworthy.

As a gamer diving deep into history, I’m immersed in a trove of archival footage from those monumental protests themselves and the media reports that swirled around them. One memorable moment is an ABC News interview where Ted Koppel has to clarify the choice to incorporate closed-captioning for viewers.

The film incorporates interviews, historical footage, and reenactments filmed from the viewpoint (POV) of characters, aiming to recreate a Deaf person’s perspective on the events. This is achieved through a creative approach to sound design that includes scenes with normal audio, others mimicking the enhanced experience of using hearing aids, and still others using a rhythmic soundtrack to represent the heightened sense of sound described by the main characters in crucial moments. At times, this method adds a universal aspect to the documentary, while at other instances, it appears specifically designed for Deaf viewers. However, throughout the film, there is an evident thoughtful approach to every decision made in its production.

The powerful and moving documentary, “Deaf President Now! “, serves as an enlightening answer to those questioning the necessity of ASL interpreters at events. Even if they seldom watch documentaries like this, viewers will find themselves moved by its compelling narrative. If you’ve completed “Deaf President Now!” and crave more recent insights into the lives of deaf individuals, consider watching DiMarco’s Netflix reality series, “Deaf U“, which unfortunately only had one season but is certainly deserving of more.

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2025-01-30 21:55