The amiable activism documentary Deaf President Now! leaves potential on the table

by

In March 1988, it was announced that a hearing candidate, Elisabeth Zinser, had been chosen as president of Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., which is the largest deaf-only university globally. To everyone’s surprise, this decision was made despite two deaf candidates also being in contention for the position. This news was a significant disappointment to the student body, who felt that their perspectives had not been adequately represented by the school’s leadership. Determined not to accept this situation quietly, they took to the streets to voice their strong opposition to this controversial decision.

As a passionate film buff, I’d say that in “Deaf President Now!,” visionaries Davis Guggenheim (known for his impactful documentaries such as “He Named Me Malala” and “An Inconvenient Truth”) and Nyle DiMarco (an alumnus of Gallaudet University) skillfully narrate this historic event predominantly through archival footage, a sprinkle of reenacted images, and most notably, firsthand interviews with the brave individuals who ignited this movement. Key figures like the outspoken Jerry Covell, strategic thinker Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, Gallaudet staff member I. King Jordan, and the public face of the protest, Greg Hilbok, act as our knowledgeable guides as we journey through a transformative week that saw Gallaudet’s students assert their fundamental humanity.

The most impactful moments of the Deaf President Now! movement exude a rebellious, chaotic energy. A striking illustration of this is the regular use of fire alarms on campus to disseminate crucial information among Gallaudet students or disrupt speeches from hearing individuals. Scenes of Hilbok and other students standing firm against pushy, disrespectful faculty members convey a sense of living dangerously and testing authority boundaries. This tension is particularly evident in news clips showing the justifiable anger of Gallaudet students the night Zinser secured her presidency. The raw footage and unedited responses from young interviewees create an authentic, gritty display of frustration.

In simpler terms, the unfair treatment of deaf people, such as a hearing person doubting a deaf candidate’s ability to do the job, doesn’t prompt neat speeches about societal discrimination. This upsetting event touches a deep emotional chord that local news crews capture vividly. Focusing on this story for just a week keeps the tension high. The limited focus of Guggenheim and DiMarco’s work prevents the documentary “Deaf President Now!” from becoming too confusing. A clear backdrop allows the powerful interview segments and surprising historical events to have a greater impact.

Despite the generally polished and family-friendly nature of most Apple TV+ productions, lacking elements like explicit content or intense violence, the documentary “Deaf President Now!” seems to stand out as a compelling choice due to its gritty and messy storyline. Notably, this production wasn’t originally developed by Apple Original Films but was recently acquired by them five months ago, which might explain why it aligns well with their vision for disability advocacy content.

In the film “Deaf President Now!”, the content remains generally suitable for all audiences, whereas the struggle for civil rights is portrayed as a smooth, progressive journey without acknowledging the complexities often seen in real life. For instance, in some periods, advancements are made, while in others, progress may be reversed or stalled. This contrast can be observed in “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed”. The revolt against ableism is only hinted at in “Deaf President Now”, as Bridgetta’s character is introduced with mentions of her male counterparts frequently expressing frustration over her frequent references to women’s rights. However, these messier aspects are not fully explored or delved into deeply.

The concept you presented intriguingly explores the challenges faced by intersectional politics within activism among marginalized groups. However, Bridgetta’s perspective on gender, a crucial aspect, seems absent from the rest of the discussion. The film touches upon race in a concluding scene, where a white interviewee recalls Black spectators supporting Gallaudet’s students during their protests in the streets. Every documentary can’t possibly tackle every subject. A film isn’t flawed just because it doesn’t present groundbreaking feminist theory that would make bell hooks or Octavia Butler jump up in excitement.

Despite the fact that “Deaf President Now!” effectively captures a significant moment in history, its limited engagement with broader intersectional issues and its simplistic portrayal of activism diminishes some of its impact. Regrettably, the aspects that initially attracted Apple’s attention are also the reasons why Guggenheim and DiMarco’s documentary doesn’t compare to “Harlan County U.S.A.”. The superficial quality of the footage used in this production, which leans towards being disposable, only reinforces its generic feel.

It’s fortunate that Deaf President Now! continues to hold captivating and vibrant tales from Gallaudet alumni. Although the documentary’s visual style and political perspective might seem familiar, the stories and interview subjects in Deaf President’s narrative are uniquely intriguing. A brief diversion into harrowing accounts from Bridgetta and Jerry about their upbringings are particularly moving. For instance, Bridgetta was a symbol of a dreadful initiative aimed at “correcting” deaf children. In contrast, Jerry had a deaf father who passively endured his colleagues pushing him into an isolated workspace away from the world outside.

In the compelling stories of “Deaf President Now!”, language that sticks and raw emotional depth are abundant. It becomes clear that the pivotal protest wasn’t only sparked by Zinser’s election; rather, it was the culmination of decades of dehumanization and patronizing treatment. The existing system couldn’t withstand this pressure. When “Deaf President Now!” ignites, as shown in these powerful interview segments, it showcases the spirit of working-class activism. Regrettably, its basic presentation somewhat diminishes the impact of those more impressive aspects.

Read More

2025-05-19 15:14