What to stream: 'Being Heumann' and more films about disability activism and representation
Published in Entertainment News
Streaming this week on Apple TV is the latest film from Oscar-winning filmmaker Sian Heder, “Being Heumann.” The film is a biopic about the fiery and inspiring disability activist Judy Heumann, written by Heder and Rebekah Taussig, adapted from Heumann’s memoir “Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist.” Heumann’s story was featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary “Crip Camp,” but this narrative feature stars English actress Ruth Madeley as Heumann during one of the important inflection points in her long career as an activist, the occupation of a federal building in San Francisco.
Heder, who wrote and directed the Oscar-winning film “CODA” about a deaf family and their hearing daughter, knows the world of disability activism and representation well. Her straightforward and humanist filmmaking style is ideal for Heumann’s story, which is inspiring, funny and ultimately incredibly human in its depiction of her determination, flaws and all. Heder assembled the largest cast of disabled actors since the 1930s for this film, ensuring every real person in this true story was represented properly, and giving opportunities to many deaf and disabled actors and performers, too.
The 1977 protest, spontaneous sit-in, occupation and ultimately hunger strike was mounted in order to bring attention to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Joseph Califano’s refusal to sign Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Their activism later paved the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. It’s a story of dogged determination, belief in oneself, and a knowledge that the world should be built to support human life, not the other way around. It’s incredibly moving, and Madeley’s performance as the tough spitfire Heumann is incredible. It’s worth the watch, so stream it on Apple TV starting this Friday, Nov. 13.
Also be sure to stream “Crip Camp,” the 2020 documentary by Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht, one of the film’s subjects. It features the story of Camp Jened, a summer camp for teens with disabilities, where many campers developed their activist spirit in the 1970s, later becoming important figures in the disability rights movement. It’s a great companion piece to “Being Heumann” and fills out more of Judy’s story. Stream it on Netflix.
On Apple TV, stream Heder’s 2021 film “CODA,” a remake of the French Belgian film “La Famille Bélier,” starring Emilia Jones as a child of deaf adults. It’s a heartwarming family dramedy that grapples with many of the same issues as “Being Heumann,” but in the deaf world. The film won best picture, best screenplay and best supporting actor for deaf actor Troy Kotsur at the 2022 Oscars.
In a similar vein, the touching indie “Take Me Home” arrives on digital and streaming platforms Sunday, Nov. 15. The feature film debut of Liz Sargent, the film is a deeply personal project, featuring Sargent’s own sister, Anna Sargent, in the lead role. Anna, who is disabled, stars as a version of herself, an adopted adult living and caring for her aging parents in Florida. Ali Ahn co-stars as her older sister who is attempting to build a life away from home, but worries about her vulnerable parents and sister, who are at the mercy of a challenging healthcare system and social safety net.
It’s a touching feature film that explores the continued challenges faced by the disabled community, as well as any person navigating the challenges of aging parents and caregiving in any capacity. “Take Me Home” won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance and best performance in a feature film at the Disability Arts & Culture Awards (the Darcys). It will be available to rent or buy on all digital platforms on Nov. 15.
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