Through Deaf Eyes Film Analysis
"Through Deaf Eyes," a two-hour HDTV documentary for PBS, explores nearly 200 years of Deaf life in America. The film presents the shared experiences of American history - family life, education, work, and community connections - from the perspective of deaf citizens. Narrated by actor Stockard Channing, the film includes interviews with former Gallaudet University president, Dr. I. King Jordan, and actors Marlee Matlin and Bernard Bragg, as well as historians and deaf Americans with diverse views on language use, technology and identity. The film presents the story of Deaf life in America - a story of conflicts, prejudice and affirmation that reaches the heart of what it means to be human. "Through Deaf Eyes" will be broadcast on Wednesday,
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history as it intersects the experiences of Deaf people. Education has been perhaps the issue in this story. "Through Deaf Eyes" traces the evolution of deaf education, from the founding of the first school for the deaf in 1817 to the 1864 chartering of Gallaudet University, in Washington, D.C., the only place that deaf people could earn a college degree in a signing environment, to the late-20th century "mainstreaming" movement.
"Through Deaf Eyes" explores the enduring linguistic question of how to educate deaf children. Alexander Graham Bell argued that deaf children should be instructed using a pure oral method, with no signs. Bell stated that deaf people should not teach deaf children, as they would introduce sign language and could not instruct during speech lessons. Bell's ideas were widely accepted.
Bell studied eugenics, the science of improving a species. In 1884, he warned that the formation of a "deaf race" was underway and pointed to the growing number of Deaf clubs, churches, schools and social events. Bell suggested that deaf people should not marry each other and proffered ways to prevent connections between deaf …show more content…
Later, the success of "Children of a Lesser God," first on Broadway and then in a feature film for which Marlee Matlin won an Oscar, brought Deaf life and American Sign Language further into the public awareness.
In one of the most dramatic and inspirational events in "Through Deaf Eyes," students, faculty, staff and alumni at Gallaudet University protest the 1988 selection of a hearing president, demanding a "Deaf President Now." The protesters gain widespread public support for this civil rights struggle, and their demands are met with the appointment of Dr. I. King Jordan in what was a galvanizing moment for Deaf society. "Through Deaf Eyes" offers an inside perspective by some of the protest leaders.
A comprehensive Web site, found at www.pbs.org, accompanies the film. The site, which launches in March 2007, includes interviews with the Deaf filmmakers whose work is featured in the documentary, while also inviting viewers to submit their own stories, photographs, and films. These will become part of the archival collection of Gallaudet University. A companion book is being published by Gallaudet University
history as it intersects the experiences of Deaf people. Education has been perhaps the issue in this story. "Through Deaf Eyes" traces the evolution of deaf education, from the founding of the first school for the deaf in 1817 to the 1864 chartering of Gallaudet University, in Washington, D.C., the only place that deaf people could earn a college degree in a signing environment, to the late-20th century "mainstreaming" movement.
"Through Deaf Eyes" explores the enduring linguistic question of how to educate deaf children. Alexander Graham Bell argued that deaf children should be instructed using a pure oral method, with no signs. Bell stated that deaf people should not teach deaf children, as they would introduce sign language and could not instruct during speech lessons. Bell's ideas were widely accepted.
Bell studied eugenics, the science of improving a species. In 1884, he warned that the formation of a "deaf race" was underway and pointed to the growing number of Deaf clubs, churches, schools and social events. Bell suggested that deaf people should not marry each other and proffered ways to prevent connections between deaf …show more content…
Later, the success of "Children of a Lesser God," first on Broadway and then in a feature film for which Marlee Matlin won an Oscar, brought Deaf life and American Sign Language further into the public awareness.
In one of the most dramatic and inspirational events in "Through Deaf Eyes," students, faculty, staff and alumni at Gallaudet University protest the 1988 selection of a hearing president, demanding a "Deaf President Now." The protesters gain widespread public support for this civil rights struggle, and their demands are met with the appointment of Dr. I. King Jordan in what was a galvanizing moment for Deaf society. "Through Deaf Eyes" offers an inside perspective by some of the protest leaders.
A comprehensive Web site, found at www.pbs.org, accompanies the film. The site, which launches in March 2007, includes interviews with the Deaf filmmakers whose work is featured in the documentary, while also inviting viewers to submit their own stories, photographs, and films. These will become part of the archival collection of Gallaudet University. A companion book is being published by Gallaudet University