LEFT BEHIND

SYNOPSIS

Did you know that 1 out of 5 people have dyslexia? How about that 47-50% of incarcerated people have dyslexia? Left Behind gives eye-opening insight into the ways that the public school system ignores the needs of students with learning disabilities and, in doing so, contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline. No matter how much a person may stand by the power and importance of public schools, there’s just no disputing that the current public education system is not built to help students with learning disabilities to succeed or thrive, and just about every single dyslexia-centered school in the country is privately-owned. Anna Toomey’s gripping documentary chronicles a group of advocates in their struggle to start New York City’s first public school for dyslexia.

DIRECTOR

Anna Toomey

Distribution

Abramorama

CAST & PRODUCTION

Visit IMBD

RESOURCES & SUpport

Official Website

World Premiere at Woodstock Film Festival

"I made Left Behind after our son was diagnosed with dyslexia. At 6 years old he enthusiastically entered first grade only to find he could not understand letters and could not read like all the other kids. He lost his curiosity, confidence and withdrew believing he wasn’t smart and didn’t belong. We felt lost, the public school didn’t recognize he had dyslexia, and could not teach him the way he needed to be taught. I spoke to parents across the country who told me the same story over and over again

As a storyteller I wanted to be able to tell their story in an honest and true way to bring light the absurdity of a system denying kids with this incredibly common learning disability an education, especially children from lower income families and black and brown students.
I believe every great story starts with great characters. I think allowing people to tell open up about who they are gives viewers an insight into people, what is important to them, and allows an audience to learn from someone’s else’s life, and ultimately their story. I approach each project with an open mind. My hope with every film I make that the audience walks away with a deeper understanding of a person, place, or event."

ANNA TOOMEY, DIRECTOR

“Powerful…inspiring Left Behind is an urgent call to action to help dyslexic kids”

Anderson Cooper, CNN

“Wonderful & Powerful…Moms who won’t give up”

Dominic Patten, Deadline

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