Deej / director, Robert Rooy ; words by David James Savarese ; producers, Robert Rooy, David James Savarese ; a co-production of Rooy Media LLC and the Independent Television Service (ITVS).
D.J. Savarese. Originally produced in 2017. One note card "Celebrate Neurodiversity!" inserted inside container. "The 72-minute version allows viewers to gain even deeper and more detailed insights into DJ's often surprising thoughts and perceptions."--Film website. Extras: Finding our voices (abridged version) (16 minutes) The words of eight nonspeaking Autistics take center stage ; Coming of age (6 minutes) Friends and family gather to celebrate DJ's 18th birthday ; An uncommon student (7 minutes) DJ competes with other high school seniors for a college scholarship.
Summary:
Abandoned by his birth parents and unable to speak for himself, DJ Savarese ("Deej") found not only a loving family but also a life in words, which he types on a text-to-voice synthesizer. As he dreams of college, he confronts the terrors of his past, society's obstacles to inclusion and often paralyzing beauty of his own senses. In this first-of-its kind collaboration between a veteran filmmaker and a nonspeaking autistic, Robert Rooy and DJ share editorial control as they navigate the challenges of representing autism. Deej is a story told from the inside.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.