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‘CODA’ Didn’t Change Hollywood for the Disabled. Siân Heder Hopes ‘Being Heumann’ Can
Heder says one accessible trailer was available across North America, prompting her team to build new accommodations from scratch.
- Director Siân Heder premiered 'Being Heumann' at the Toronto International Film Festival, chronicling the historic 28-day sit-in when disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann and more than 100 activists occupied the San Francisco Federal Building to demand Section 504 accessibility regulations.
- Five years after 'CODA' achieved major success with deaf actors Troy Kotsur and Marlee Matlin, Heder observed that Hollywood's embrace of disabled talent faded; the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative found disabled characters in films held steady at about 2.4%.
- Ruth Madeley plays Judy Heumann alongside deaf actor Daniel Durant and blind performer Charlie Rush-Reese; finding only one accessible trailer in all of North America, Heder built a 'ramp village' and empowered an accessibility team to discover how the set could become accessible.
- Heder acknowledged Hollywood's pattern of temporary inclusion, noting that after 'CODA' ended, the industry reverted; now 'my cast showing up on a red carpet is going to force people to adjust,' she said, making the process 'messy, but interesting and important.'
- Though Judy Heumann died in 2023, Heder said 'It's really sad that she's not here to see this' while hoping she would be proud of the film; Apple releases 'Being Heumann' in theaters November 6 and streams it November 13.
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Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Herald-Republic‘CODA’ didn’t change Hollywood's attitude about disability. Siân Heder hopes ‘Being Heumann’ can
“CODA,” the first film featuring a largely deaf cast to triumph at the Oscars, marked a watershed moment for the film industry. But five years later, its director Siân Heder has seen any momentary embrace by Hollywood of the those…
·Lancaster, United States
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To Follow Her Best Picture Win, Siân Heder Opted to Make ‘the Hardest Story She Could Imagine’
TIFF: For "Being Heumann," Heder takes on a seminal moment in the life of the remarkable disability activist Judy Heumann. She imagined a risky film, populated by all manner of disabled performers, that felt more "Dog Dog Afternoon" than cultural vegetables. All that? It was scary. It was worth it.
·Los Angeles, United States
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Total News Sources22
Leaning Left13Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Left
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources lean Left
62% Left
L 62%
C 33%
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