Dislecksia: The Movie

Plot

Dislecksia traces the many trials Hubbell faced growing up as a dyslexic in the 1960s and '70s, with discussions on his school performance and how he was handled by teachers. It also examines the root causes of dyslexia and seeks to explain how a dyslexic brain differs from a normal brain. It discusses the prominence of reading difficulties throughout the nation and features a discussion of how educators can hope to improve the current situation.

The film features interviews with many prominent dyslexics, scientists and advocates, and examines the current scientific information coming out of Yale's Haskins Laboratories and Georgetown University's Center for the Study of Learning. It also explores schools that have been created specifically for children with dyslexia and other learning differences or disabilities, such as Litchfield's Forman School and New Jersey's Newgrange School. Hubbell has stated that he hopes the film will change laws and lives by improving common knowledge about dyslexia and changing its status in the United States.

Reception

Director/Producer Harvey Hubbell V and Editor/Producer Eric Gardner were invited to attend the 2008 Sundance Independent Producers Conference, where they met with numerous producers and distributors to discuss the future of the film.

In the New York Times, Daniel Gold said: "The film’s primary mission is to destigmatize dyslexia, and it achieves that admirably, presenting technical material with a light touch and compassion." Odie Henderson on RogerEbert.com wrote: "Hubbell's documentary is ultimately far more successful as an educational tool than a feature film, but that's not a bad thing. It's refreshing to leave a movie theater smarter than when you entered it."

Notable interview subjects