Logline

A collaborative exploration into the inner worlds of deaf individuals, this film delves into their personal stories of loneliness, identity, and belonging, challenging hearing audiences to truly engage with a community whose language and experiences are often misunderstood.

Synopsis

An intimate and complex glimpse into the world of the deaf community. By collaborating closely with community members, the filmmaker creates a space where their voices can be authentically represented. Traditionally, culturally, and historically, deaf people have lived in a kind of ghetto, which sounds drastic in times of unrestricted communication. Let’s view sign language as a fully developed language while acknowledging the challenges and stigma it has faced over the years.

The film invites the hearing to step outside their comfort zones, encouraging them to engage with the stories on the participants’ terms and allowing their lived experiences to resonate without outside interpretation. Our mission transcends mere storytelling or interviews; we aim to immerse ourselves in the daily lives of Deaf individuals. By observing their struggles and joys intimately, we hope to foster a sense of identification that allows audiences to better understand the unfamiliar world of Deaf people.

In conclusion, this film challenges us to reconsider our perceptions and appreciate the richness of deaf culture—a world with its own distinct rules—recognizing sign language not only as a means of communication but also as an essential part of the human experience. It’s more than a film; it is a movement to challenge stereotypes, celebrate diversity, and foster understanding between the hearing and deaf worlds.

Issue / Context

Traditionally, culturally, and historically, deaf people have lived in a kind of ghetto, which sounds drastic in times of unrestricted communication. There is a global problem of misunderstanding and miscommunication between deaf and hearing people. This film challenges us to reconsider our perceptions and appreciate the richness of deaf culture – a world with its own distinct rules – recognizing sign language not only as a means of communication but also as an essential part of the human experience.

Style / Visual approach

We aim to develop a unique style that intertwines image, space, color, time, and sound. Deaf people perceive a wider visual field than hearing individuals and can notice intricate details. In the film, we will utilize this contrast between wide shots and close-ups, or even extreme close-ups. This approach will add dynamism to the action, allowing us to emphasize or, conversely, soften the emotional intensity. A film based on sign language demands original and innovative visual solutions. We cannot attach microphones to our film’s characters in the conventional way since they communicate through gestures, facial expressions, and their entire bodies. Therefore, we will use various editing techniques such as split screen, dynamic montage, parallel editing, and discontinuity editing.

Director’s note

Like many hearing individuals, my understanding of the Deaf world was once limited, clouded by myths and misconceptions. My interest in the subject deepened through conversations with someone who had lost his hearing. I engaged with the Deaf community, enrolled in sign language courses, attended Deaf events, and immersed myself in literature and media about the topic. My aspiration is for hearing individuals to gain a deeper understanding of Deaf people and to uncover this fascinating world.
By giving voice to the deaf community, we hope to create a lasting impact that resonates far beyond the screen. With this film, we aim to debunk the myths and misconceptions of the Deaf community in the hearing world.

Myths and misconceptions

Although hearing people have some idea about sign language, they do not know exactly what it is. Most hearing people have a similar and often incorrect understanding of sign language.

Myth No.1

Most people think that Sign Language is a form of oral language where gestures are used instead of words (or even instead of letters). In Sign Languages, gestures do not indicate words, sounds or letters – they indicate concepts. A gesture is not a simple sign – it is a moving, kinetic sign.

Myth No.2

For a long time, it was generally believed that sign language was only suitable for everyday communication – that it was impossible to speak abstractly. Moreover, it was believed that sign language has no grammar. This completely ignores the fact that sign language also includes movement, facial expressions and body language.

Myth No.3

A common question about sign language is whether it is international, i.e. do deaf people around the world use the same sign language? Of course not, because it is impossible.

Myth No.4

Hearing people often presume that sign language was designed specifically for deaf people to teach or communicate with them. Sign languages were not created by anyone, just like spoken languages, they are natural and evolved naturally and are constantly changing.