Watch Intelligent Lives

Intelligent Lives is a documentary film from 2018 that explores the lives of three young adults with intellectual disabilities as they navigate the challenges of adulthood. From the filmmakers who brought us the Academy Award-winning documentary, Including Samuel, Intelligent Lives takes a revolutionary look at intelligence, showing how it is not simply a measurement of IQ or test scores, but rather a dynamic, multi-dimensional concept that can manifest in a variety of ways.

The film follows three individuals: Naieer Shaheed, Naomie Monplaisir, and Micah Fialka Feldman. Naieer is a young man with Williams syndrome, a genetic condition that can cause cognitive delays, unique facial features, and various medical problems. Naomie enjoys singing, shopping, and writing poetry, and she's been attending college classes for two years. Micah is also attending college, studying social justice and disability rights. He has Down syndrome and has been a self-advocate for most of his life.

Intelligent Lives raises critical questions about what defines intelligence, and who gets to decide who is "intelligent." The film argues that our society places an undue focus on IQ, test scores, and other narrow measures of intelligence, which have led to widespread discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. Through compelling personal stories and expert interviews, Intelligent Lives shows that people with intellectual disabilities can and do lead fulfilling lives, and that we need to rethink our assumptions about what they are capable of achieving.

The film takes us on a journey into the lives of Naieer, Naomie, and Micah, following their triumphs and challenges as they strive to achieve their goals. Naieer, for example, dreams of becoming a filmmaker, but he faces many obstacles due to his cognitive disability. Naomie talks about how hard it is to find a job as a person with a disability, and how the system often works against her. Micah, meanwhile, confronts issues around sexuality and relationships, which are often ignored in discussions of disability.

Intelligent Lives features interviews with a wide range of experts in the field of disability rights, including pioneering psychiatrist Dr. William Cohen, who challenges the narrow definitions of intelligence that are commonly used. Other experts discuss the history of the eugenics movement and other forms of discrimination that have affected people with disabilities, and how these biases continue to shape our society.

Throughout the film, we see how people with intellectual disabilities are often marginalized and stigmatized by society, but we also see their incredible resilience and strength. We see the support networks that exist to help them, such as the inclusive higher education program that Naomie and Micah attend, or the advocacy organizations that fight for their rights.

Overall, Intelligent Lives is a powerful and thought-provoking film that challenges our assumptions about intelligence and disability. It shines a light on the lives of Naieer, Naomie, and Micah, giving them a voice and a platform to share their stories and experiences. The film's message is clear: everyone has something to offer, regardless of their level of "intelligence," and it's up to all of us to create a world that values and celebrates diversity.

Intelligent Lives is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5.