Premiere of “Deaf President Now!” documentary at Sundance Film Festival
MJ Kiego: Hello, I’m MJ Kiego. I’ll be a guest reporter for “The Daily Moth.” I’m here again at the Eccles Theater. Sundance has several theaters and this is the biggest one. This is another sold-out event for “Deaf President Now!” I’ll go and watch it shortly, at noon.
Event host and interpreter: We’ll now invite the co-directors for “Deaf President Now!” — Nyle DiMarco and Davis (Guggenheim).
Nyle DiMarco: Hello! I’m grateful to Gallaudet University for sharing with us their amazing story and their beautiful campus. Also their incredible collection of archives.
I also want to thank Shoshannah Stern and Marlee Matlin for their inspiring film, “Not Alone Anymore.” We are proud to stand next to them here at Sundance!
I want to thank the Deaf community for treasuring this story for generations, through their hands, so this history doesn’t disappear. We hope you enjoy the film!
[Audience reacting after the premiere]
Nyle DiMarco: I’d like to welcome the “DPN Four” to come on stage.
Host: I’d like to know your thoughts after looking back to that time and reliving it after watching the film?
Greg Hlibok: I’ll start. I can’t be thankful enough for this moment. I want to use one statement I saw — that having pride is critical. We know that language deprivation for deaf children is a very serious issue, absolutely. But the most important thing is that once a deaf child is proud of themselves and of their identity — at that moment, everything becomes possible.
Jerry Covell: Dang, I feel old! I guess the makeup didn’t make me any younger! But really, I was inspired that after 36, 37 years, our story can finally be told.
Tim Rarus: This film is a tribute to our ancestors and for those who worked to change the world either in person at Gallaudet or around the world. Also, we carry the torch of “Deaf President Now!” and transform that to “Deaf People Now!” We have a lot of work to do ahead of us.
Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: All of those stories were passed down and it was just time. So, it’s not just a one-week story. I’m just amazed at how you put it all together and included our families in it. Wow. Our grandparents! I’m trying not to cry!
Audience member, via interpreter: Through your experiences with DPN, I’m curious what advice you would give to our young generation today? For those who need to come together as a community?
Jerry Covell: Please feel free to kick ass!
Jojo Savea, Deaf viewer: What did I think of the “DPN!” film? It was cool to actually see it. We usually grow up knowing about the “Deaf President Now!” events and about the Gallaudet protest. But it was different with this documentary. It makes you experience it, feel it, and see the emotions and all the ups and downs. On how the four leaders transformed into leaders and how they felt ready to step in. I’m just mind blown that it was only one week. The film showed many ups and downs and changes, and I didn’t realize that it was only one week. It felt like a couple of months! They did a really good job to make you see and experience the feelings that they had during that time. To actually see the leaders become leaders was really cool. I recommend you to watch it. I enjoyed it.
Film info: https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/675328fc707ccd27440898eb
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[Sponsored video from Convo: www.convorelay.com]
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