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Documentary on disability rights icon Judith Heumann to open Toronto Film Festival
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Culture & Society

Documentary on disability rights icon Judith Heumann to open Toronto Film Festival

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The film 'Being Heumann,' about disability rights activist Judith Heumann, will open the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.
  • The documentary, starring Ruth Madeley, will have its world premiere on September 10.
  • Heumann, a key figure in the disability rights movement, was also featured in the Oscar-nominated film 'Crip Camp.'

The 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will open with the world premiere of "Being Heumann," a film directed by Siân Heder focusing on the life of the late disability rights activist Judith Heumann. Festival organizers announced that the documentary will debut on the opening night, September 10, with the festival running through September 20.

"Being Heumann" stars Ruth Madeley in the titular role. Judith Heumann, who passed away in 2023, was a pivotal figure in advocating for disability rights and played a crucial role in lobbying for legislation that eventually became the Americans with Disabilities Act. She lost the ability to walk at age 2 and became a central figure in the 2020 Oscar-nominated documentary "Crip Camp."

We’re thrilled to open this year’s Festival with Siân Heder’s inspiring follow-up to her Oscar winning ‘CODA.’

— Cameron BaileyExpressing enthusiasm about the film selection for the festival's opening night.

This film marks Siân Heder's return to TIFF following her success with "CODA" in 2021. "CODA" garnered significant attention, winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards and marking a milestone for the deaf community, as well as being the first film released by a streamer, Apple, to win Hollywood's top prize. Apple is also distributing "Being Heumann."

Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, expressed his excitement about opening the festival with Heder's latest work. He described "Being Heumann" as featuring an "electric performance" from Madeley, telling the story of Heumann's impactful advocacy for accessibility. The festival also announced other gala world premieres, including Susanna White's legal thriller "Prima Facie" starring Cynthia Erivo, and Hur Jin-ho's Korean thriller "The Assassin(s)."

'Being Heumann' features an electric performance from Ruth Madeley in the story of Judy Heumann, a world-changing advocate for accessibility.

— Cameron BaileyHighlighting the lead performance and the subject's impact.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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