For 22 years, I have filmed the life of my adopted deaf son, Dante, from a remote Quechua community high in the Andes of Peru. Born without access to language, Dante’s journey reveals the transformative power of sign language, education, and human connection.
The film is now picture-locked (editing complete!) except for final post-production—and with your help, we aim to premiere it in Peru this summer and the U.S. in the fall. Please Help Us Finish the Film!
Thanks to early supporters, we have already raised $11,770 toward our $22,000 goal. Those funds allowed us to complete the remaining filming and full editing process between 2023–2025. We are now raising the final $10,230 by May 1 to complete color and sound so the film can premiere in Peru this summer and in the United States this fall.
What we are specifically fundraising for now:
• Professional color grading
• Sound design and audio mixing
• ASL and Peruvian Sign Language interpreters
• Final subtitle editing and integration of all of the above
These final steps will allow the film to be completed and prepared for screenings.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT:
I am Holly Wissler, an ethnomusicologist working in the U.S. and Peru. This documentary follows 22 years in the life of my adopted deaf son, Dante, from the remote Quechua community of Q’eros in the high Andes of Peru.
Born deaf without access to language, Dante’s world begins to open when he arrives in Cusco at age eight and learns Peruvian Sign Language. Over time, our relationship transforms as well—from godmother to mother—as we learn to communicate across languages and cultures.
Dante’s story also reveals a larger issue: the lack of language access and deaf education in Peru. Through the voices of deaf adults, educators, and community leaders—including deaf advocate Junior García—the film raises awareness about deaf rights, language access, and human connection.
Accessibility is central to this project
The documentary will be produced in multiple accessible versions:
1. Spanish with subtitles
2. Spanish with subtitles + Peruvian Sign Language (LSP) interpretation
3. English with subtitles
4. English with subtitles + ASL interpretation
5. Quechua voiceover of the Spanish-language version, so the story can be shared with Andean communities in their own language
For more information about the project, please visit the documentary website:
If you would like information about film credits or Executive Producer opportunities, please feel free to contact me directly. Please also share this fundraiser with anyone who may be interested in helping us complete the film.
Thank you for helping bring this story to the world.
Warmly,
Holly Wissler