In March 1988, when the Board Chair of Gallaudet University, the world’s only Deaf university, announced Gallaudet’s new president, she had no idea what was about to happen. As chronicled in Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim’s riveting new documentary, “Deaf President Now!”,  the students revolted against the decision to hire yet another hearing person to lead the university and took over the campus. In the span of just over one week, their struggle would not only transform Gallaudet but write a powerful new chapter in the history of the Civil Rights Movement.

Nyle and Davis join Ken on the pod to describe this remarkable protest movement and their own dynamic creative partnership. The result is a film that combines thrilling archival footage with moving contemporary interviews and deep insights into the Deaf experience. The film’s original use of the Deaf POV and innovative sound design demonstrate that the revolution that began at Gallaudet has profoundly changed the culture and, now, the documentary form itself.

“Deaf President Now!” premieres on Apple+ on May 16.

Hidden Gems:

Davis: No Other Land, Black Box Diaries

Nyle: Crip Camp

Follow:

@nyledimarco on Instagram X

@davisguggenheim on Instagram

@topdocspod on Instagram and X

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