The documentary began as a grassroots project in Peru (2013) and continued with Holly and Dante’s immigration to the U.S. in 2017. In this major life shift, the documentary experienced many periods of stasis due to various factors: the necessary change in production personnel, culture shock and adjustment to a new life/school system, as well as the pandemic. The documentary has also experienced many spurts of great creativity, change in script, and now, as a result of unexpected years of extension, the focus has broadened to include a 20 year-span of Dante’s life.

Past Funding: This documentary is a project of the heart. Funding has come entirely from friends and supporters as the result of two successful Indiegogo campaigns in 2016 and 2019. Because of these generous donations we have reached this stage in production, with a good working edit that is our base from which to complete the documentary. I deeply thank every supporter who has donated and been with us, patiently, in this process.

The documentary will be expanded to include the untimely death of Dante’s father, Victor, and the milestone of Dante’s graduation from high school. The principal change that will be added to the original focus of the deaf experience, rights, language and education, is telling more of Holly and Dante’s personal story. New interviews will include deeply personal transformations and awakenings as a result of years of commitment to one another. This new focus will add heart to the documentary, making it more personable, accessible and powerful.

We will continue consultation and feedback with documentary participants, educators, people in the deaf community as well as World Federation of the Deaf Peruvian representative Susana Stiglich Watson, Sign Language Rights Officer, WFD.