Siân Heder's 'Being Heumann' Delivers a Conventional but Stirring Portrait of a Disability Rights Pioneer
The film, starring Ruth Madeley as Judy Heumann, chronicles the 1977 occupation of a federal building that became a landmark protest for disability rights. Directed by the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind 'CODA,' it follows an inspirational formula while showcasing actors with disabilities in key roles. The drama opened the Toronto International Film Festival and is set for a November release on Apple TV+.
The 1977 protest centered on the San Francisco offices of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, where activists remained for 28 days to demand enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which had been signed four years earlier but never implemented. The event is previously documented in the Oscar-nominated 2020 film *Crip Camp*.
Heder continues her practice of casting performers with disabilities, enlisting *CODA* alumni like Russell Harvard and Daniel Durant. The film premiered as the opening night gala at the Toronto International Film Festival and will debut on Apple TV+ in mid-November after a brief theatrical run.
The film could serve as an accessible entry point for mainstream audiences to understand the historical struggle for disability rights, potentially fostering greater empathy and awareness. By showcasing actors with disabilities in prominent roles, it may also influence casting practices within the industry. Its release during a period of political debate over disability protections could prompt renewed public discourse on the ongoing relevance of collective action, though its conventional narrative style might limit its impact to those already sympathetic to the cause.