Disability Rights in the Shadow of Trade Wars and Patriotism

At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, Oscar-winning director Sian Heder brought attention to the importance of collective action. Her film Being Heumann, an Apple Original Films production, opened the festival with a story about disability rights leader Judy Heumann’s 1977 campaign, which led to the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The current context of rising nationalism and trade tensions between the US and Canada adds significance to Heder’s comments on collective action. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow subtly echoed these sentiments during her welcome address, emphasizing that Lake Ontario is a part of Toronto’s waterfront, a gentle rebuke to President Trump’s recent renaming of the Great Lakes.

The film industry is not immune to the polarizing effects of politics. As two-thirds of Canadian film and TV exports head to the US market, it’s striking that cross-border trade deals are being renegotiated during the festival. Yet, in Being Heumann, Heder has crafted a story about disability rights that transcends borders.

Disability advocacy is often overlooked or marginalized in broader social movements. However, the film highlights how collective action can create lasting change. Judy Heumann’s determination to bring attention to disability rights in the 1970s paved the way for significant legislation – a testament to what can be achieved when people refuse to be invisible.

Heder’s own journey as a director has been marked by a commitment to representation and inclusion. Her decision to feature a cast of disability actors playing disabled characters is notable, given the industry’s ongoing struggles with diversity and accessibility.

The intersection of trade wars, nationalism, and cultural production raises important questions about what this film – and the festival it opened – portend for the future. As the US-China trade war continues to dominate headlines, Being Heumann serves as a poignant reminder that collective action can be a powerful force in shaping history, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Beyond its timely release, Heder’s film also speaks to a broader cultural shift towards greater representation and inclusion. Madely, the star of the film, noted that she was drawn to the role because of Heumann’s “ferocity and humor” – qualities that are often absent from portrayals of disability in media.

The Toronto Film Festival will continue through September 20th, but Being Heumann has already left a lasting impression. As Heder reminded festival-goers, collective action matters – a message that resonates far beyond the film’s narrative.