Greetings again from the darkness. Psychologists long ago concluded that ‘belonging’ is a fundamental human social need. Finding our ‘peeps’ … a group of similar folks to share life with … plays a significant role in our identity – who we are. Documentarian Julie Wyman turns her focus … and her camera … onto herself as she searches for her own place.
It’s a bit disturbing, and kind of heartbreaking, to watch as Julie interviews her parents. Claiming they thought she was “normal” as a kid, properly ruffles Julie’s feathers as she reminds them of the many times she brought up the issue when she was younger. Julie’s sister acknowledges school fights over Julie’s proportions, and then we see an analysis of da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man … right down to the optimal limb to torso to height percentages.
Dwarf culture becomes the story here as Julie meets with Little People of America. The most famous and successful dwarf actor, Billy Barty, was a co-founder of the organization in 1957. Mr. Barty passed away in 2000 at the age of 76, but the organization continues with participation from many. Julie seems to be testing the waters to determine if she will be accepted, as her proportions are considered ‘partial dwarfism’. What she finds is a group who collaborates with and protects each other.
The battles with medical research and big pharma reminded me of some of the same issues faced by the hearing-impaired community. Should attempts be made to ‘normalize’ or should the group be accepted in their natural state. Although I am not part of either community, it has always seemed to me that the individuals should decide on their own. There are plenty of hearing-impaired who choose hearing aids or Cochlear implants, and if growth hormones or other options are available for dwarfism, then these folks should be allowed to choose … free from backlash and judgment.
Julie Wyman’s film does a nice job addressing this, as well as her own situation. There are a few familiar faces you might recognize in Little People of America, including actors Mark Povinelli (NIGHTMARE ALLEY, 2021), Sofiya Cheyenne (“Loudermilk”), Matthew Jeffers (“New Amsterdam”), and Katrina Kemp (“Spider-Man”). There is also a quick shot of Danny Woodburn (Mickey from “Seinfeld”) at an event. The line that will surely stick with most viewers is the admission that dwarfism makes one “invisible, but always on display”.
Premiering on PBS Independent Lens on April 6, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
Movie Reviews from the Dark 