Apple TV+ Just Released a New Film From a Deaf Actor, Director, and Human Rights Advocate

Apple TV+ just released an upcoming film about the protest that led to the election of the university's first deaf president. The title comes from a deaf actor, director, and advocate, as well as an award-winning documentary filmmaker.

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An upcoming documentary called Deaf President Now! tells the story of a historic university protest that led to the election of the school’s first deaf president while paving the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Deaf actor, filmmaker, and advocate Nyle DiMarco joins David Guggenheim as the film’s director.

Here’s a quick rundown of the film from Apple:

“Deaf President Now!” chronicles the eight days of historic protests that took place at Gallaudet University in 1988 after the school's board of trustees appointed a hearing president over several highly qualified deaf candidates. After a week of rallies, boycotts, and protests, Gallaudet students triumphed when the hearing president resigned and beloved dean Dr. I. King Jordan became the university's first deaf president.

The protests were a turning point in the history of civil rights, with an impact that extended far beyond Gallaudet’s campus and paved the way for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Deaf President Now! features exclusive interviews with five key figures in the movement, including the Gallaudet Four—Jerry Covell, Bridgette Bourne-Firl, Tim Rarus, and Greg Hlibok—along with I. King Jordan, as well as archival and written elements. The film also includes an experimental narrative approach called “Deaf Point of View,” which uses impressionistic visual photography and complex sound design to immerse audiences in the deaf experience.

Naturally, the film was created with accessibility, cultural, and communications considerations in mind throughout production.

Deaf Lens producer Wayne Betts Jr. joined during production to help create the visual language DiMarco coined, “Visual Noise.”
Betts worked closely with the directors to ensure that everything from the actors’ performances to the camera movement was authentic to the deaf experience.
DiMarco made it a priority to ensure that the depiction and interpretation of American Sign Language (ASL) was executed with the utmost care in every frame.
The team engaged consultants Jonaz McMillan and Lindsay Dryden of FWD-Doc to ensure accurate representation of the deaf perspective, inclusive hiring, and resource planning for accessibility and communication needs.
More than 40 deaf or hard of hearing subjects, actors, and crew members participated in the making of the film.

“Deaf President Now!” is consistent with Apple's inclusive approach to showcasing original storytelling. Two years ago, CODA starred a predominantly deaf cast and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

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