Siân Heder charts disability pioneer Judy Heumann's life

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 6 Nov, 13:29 · Archive

Director Siân Heder's new film Being Heumann chronicles disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann, who died in 2023 aged 75.

Director Siân Heder has made Being Heumann, a film about disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann. The film opened in theatres on Friday and premieres on Apple TV on 13 November. Heder spent two years working with Heumann before the pioneer's death in 2023 at the age of 75. Heumann is known as the 'mother of the disability rights movement'.

Heder said that working with Heumann gave her insight into her 'humor, vulnerability, but most of all her relentlessness'. When Heumann died, Heder initially questioned whether she could continue making the film without her. However, she decided to proceed, saying 'At that point, I had so many connections with her family and friends and other protesters. It felt very important to carry on and make the movie.'

The film focuses on a crucial moment in the disability rights movement: a 1977 sit-in when Heumann led some 150 protesters occupying the San Francisco offices of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

How it is being reported

• In 'Being Heumann,' Siân Heder and Ruth Madeley channel the spirit of a disability rights pioneerSiân Heder's follow-up to the best picture-winning “CODA” chronicles the disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann.Clickorlando · 6 Nov, 13:00
• In 'Being Heumann,' Siân Heder and Ruth Madeley channel the spirit of a disability rights pioneerSiân Heder's follow-up to the best picture-winning “CODA” chronicles the disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann.News4Jax · 6 Nov, 13:00

In this story: Siân Heder · Judy Heumann · Ruth Madeley · San Francisco · Department of Health, Education and Welfare · Apple TV

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log