Deaf President Now!

This was a truly great documentary - riveting, heartbreaking, inspirational, emotional, empowering, etc. There truly are not enough adjectives to describe the powerful story that the creators of this film have created.

One of the most impressive aspects of Deaf President Now! Is how much archival footage was available and how it was woven so perfectly with the present-day interviews of the five featured characters, along with some heart-wrenching film clips from the childhoods of the four students. The editing of all these elements helps create a movie that works on so many levels and delivers a powerful message about deafness that most hearing people like me need to know about.

I recommend this film 100%. Thanks again to Apple TV+ for bringing yet another great documentary to its streaming service. It's one more reason why it is, by far, my favourite of all the services I subscribe to.

It was revealing to get behind the scenes of the week-long protest to change the ingrained practice of appointing people capable of hearing yet not capable of understanding or communicating with the deaf student body and teachers they were supposed to be serving. I moved to the DC Metro in February of 1988, and this reminded of all of the talk about Gallaudet University. I hadn't heard of a school for the deaf before I moved here. I recall all of the changes that occurred to make communities more accessible when the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, largely due to this event and the relentless passion of the students. I didn't know that that Gallaudet was a major catalyst that enabled the actualization of that law. An inspirational documentary. I will be watching it again and recommending it to loved ones and friends.

From silence, we create thunder.

We were never silent - the world just wasn't listening.

DPN: we rose together, louder than sound itself.

It's not the past - it's our heartbeat today.

You may look at us as silent beings, but our voice shakes the world.

DPN isn't just history - it's who we are.

Every Deaf person should see this.

It's our history. Our power. Our voice. Our story.

Well-structured, deeply moving, and a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together. It shows the barriers we have faced, the obstacles we have overcome, and the strength we hold when we unite. We are the living proof of what unity and resilience can do for the Deaf community worldwide.

Hats off to Nyle DiMarco. 👏

Our voices are finally being heard!

Greetings again from the darkness. It was 1988, and when this group of students proclaimed, "We will be heard!", it took on additional importance. The anger of these students represented 124 years of repression. Student protestors were from Gallaudet University in Washington, D. C. It's the only university for deaf students, and its history dates back to the time of Abraham Lincoln.

Oscar winner Davis Guggenheim (AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, 2006) collaborates with deaf actor-turned-filmmaker Nyle DiMarco to bring us the story of how the commitment to cause led the students, the University, and the nation towards real change. Although the film covers just one week, it effectively uses input and recollections from five key players. In other words, we get the 'then' (via archival footage) and the 'now' (modern day interviews).

Jerry was clearly the emotional leader ... the guy who fired up the crowd through his passion. His passion shows even today as his memories come flooding back. Greg was the Student Body President, and his more reserved personality likely made him a more acceptable spokesperson. Bridgetta, a former high school cheerleader, used her energy to generate the rhythm of the crowd, while Tim did not hold back in addressing Ms. Spillman, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees ... she doesn't even bother to learn American Sign Language (ASL). Her clueless and obstinate approach to defending the board's decision to bypass two qualified deaf candidates in order to name yet another hearing person as University President comes across as absurd and even a bit cruel.

The structure of the film is exceptional, blending the past with the present. Surprisingly, enough archival footage exists (even 37 years later) that we get a real feel for the commitment of the students and the manner in which the protests were carried out. It's especially telling to hear the four demands made by the students: name a deaf President, resignation from the Board by Spillman, transitioning half the Board to half deaf members, and no reprisals for the students. All quite reasonable. With Spillman having stated something along the lines of 'Deaf people are not ready to function in a hearing world", we are provided a blunt testimony to her beliefs and possibly, the general sense of society at that time.

I King Jordan, a school professor, is interviewed and explains his unusual trek during the week ... one that ended with his becoming President of the University (a position he held for many years). The film provides us with clips of Greg's key appearance on "Nightline" with Ted Koppel, and a heartbreaking story about "broken ears". Two years after this event, Congress passed the Americans with Disability Act - a stunningly short number of years ago. An odd segment is included with a quick overview of Alexander Graham Bell's desire to "fix the deaf", but we realize it's not the deaf that need fixing. The film leaves us feeling a great deal of respect for these leaders, and might leave you chanting, "Deaf Power!"

The film will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Deaf President Now tells the story of a historic moment in the Deaf community's struggle for representation - and it does so in a powerful way. The protests depicted were real, organized and effective. The film clearly shows why so many Deaf students were frustrated and how they had tried, for many years, to make change through traditional methods - letters, meetings and respectful dialogue. It's easy to understand that their patience had run out.

However, I felt that parts of the film showed reactions that seemed overly angry. Visually, it borders on chaotic at times. While the anger is real and justified, I missed the quiet dignity that also exists deeply in Deaf culture. There are other ways to show strength - such as continuing to work, lead and build without shouting. I was reminded of the moment the Soviet flag was lowered for the last time in 1991 - a transition that happened without violence, with symbolism and gravity.

It's important to remember that the DPN protests came after many failed attempts to create change through respectful means. I respect that decision, but personally, I believe a more dignified strategy might have made an even deeper impact. The film is worth watching, but it also raises questions about how change happens - and which expressions build lasting respect.