Deaf President Now!

This documentary is incredible !!! There were no iPhones back then, and yet they still found other ways to communicate. Even tho, I am deaf, I heard about this protest. I was not there and I was in my college in different state at the same time. This documentary showed much more activities than I thought. I was like "Wow". I wish I could be there at Gally to support them wholeheartedly. Good for them !!! So brave and I'm glad they stayed with the demands. They refused to give up. They made it without any violence. Congratulations to everyone involved. Very impressive !!! Truly !!! Also, I was impressed with all the videos and pictures they kept over the years. I'm sure there are more. I wish this documentary showed a bit more of those activities and interviews. I'm very satisfied with this documentary. It's the best documentary I ever watched. Maybe Part two in the future ?

This is of the greatest documentaries I have ever seen and I believe it's going to go down as a modern classic! This is why I love documentary! It inspires you, educates you, makes you mad, makes you laugh, it makes you cry. It brings you on this intimate journey with people you wouldn't otherwise know existed in historical events (past or present) you wouldn't otherwise have heard of.

This film tells a story of a deaf university that elects a hearing president and the students fight to be heard and respected in a hearing world not designed with them in mind. It is such a roller coaster of ups and downs. The audience in my theatre was so immersed and invested, with quiet cheers, boos and awws. Zinser and Spilman truly come across as heartless people in this film making you root for the students of Gallaudet even more!

I hope to see this film win this years best documentary at the Oscars!

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.

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.

Watched at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

The Deaf President Now! Movement has been forgotten and with this new documentary, it is an ambitious and well-intended story that explores the historic moment of the Deaf President Now! Movement with great insightful explorations and some of the best editing and sound designs of recent times for documentaries.

Many of the participants and discussions are directly used well, blended with the archival footage, sound designs and inspiring moments that allows the viewers to be drawn into the political dynamics. Getting into the time period and getting into their shoes. You feel for those who are going through that event and observing the politic tension and moments in that time era, you feel a sense of anger, purpose, and the disfunction that the deaf community was going through and how they fought for themselves. Despite having some moments that does feel repetitive with it's length, Directors Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim have successfully discussed a subject that shouldn't be forgotten.