"Beyond Silence" is a film co-written and directed by Caroline Link--the same lady responsible for "Nowhere Out of Africa"--a film that won the Best Foreign Language Oscar a few years ago. The story is about a teen who loves music and wishes to go to a music college. Yet, oddly, her parents are deaf and cannot really enjoy her music--nor do they really understand why this is important to her. The main themes then are understanding and acceptance.
I have a rather unique perspective on "Beyond Silence" and so how I judge it maybe very different from the average viewer. My daughter is deaf and my wife and I are hard of hearing (mine is minor and began much more recently). So, a film that talks about issues pertaining to a family with deaf and non-deaf family members is naturally something that would appeal to us--and it would have many aspects to it that would be more important to us than the average viewer.
Here are some things an American deaf audience would probably like to know about the film. First, the sign language in this film is sometimes pretty easy to understand--German sign language is a but more like American sign language than is the British system. Sure, a few words here and there were different (that's to be expected), but some was identical or very similar and you should be able to follow what they are saying if you know American Sign Language. Plus, the same issues facing the deaf and hearing family members are the same throughout the world, so it won't matter that it takes place in Germany. Second, if you watch the film, select caption option #2--NOT #1. That's because although the German being spoken is translated (as is MOST of the sign language), when in a few tiny cases people speak English, this is NOT captioned if you choose option #1.
The film is about a dilemma I know about but have never seen on TV or in film. It's the story of a hearing child who has deaf parents--and there are many complications as a result of this. First, the hearing girl is the window to the world for the parents. This tiny kid ends up translating and even doing very adult conversations for the parents because the parents are not skilled at communicating any way other than sign language. And, at times, the child strongly manipulates her parents--translating thins in a manner that is best for her but not, at times, very accurate (this is a VERY common problem*). It's also a negative for the child, however, as their needs often become secondary and they are forced to give up much of themselves. It's not surprising, then, that Clarissa decides to take up music--something she can have that uniquely hers and separate from her parents. I thought it was fascinating that she chose the clarinet--an instrument deaf parents would have difficulty enjoying (had she chosen the bass or drums, the parents could have readily enjoyed along with her).
The film also brings up a lot of practical information that the typical person would not know. The fact that the parents (in their 30s to about 50 in the film) would only use sign language and have VERY limited vocal skills might surprise some. What might be more surprising is that the father's own family never really learned to communicate with him!! Sadly, only about 10% of the families with deaf kids learn sign language--the vast majority simply point or leave them out of what is happening. And so when this happens in the movie, I wasn't at all surprised but know it would be shocking to many to see family get togethers where NO ONE spoke with the deaf folks except their own child! That's really sad but the norm. And when the father becomes enraged because he is left out, you certainly can understand this--though his family just thinks he's an angry person or make excuses to baby him instead of addressing the problem.
As a result of these aspects of the film, it's obvious the folks who wrote the film grew up in such a home or know people who struggled with some of these same issues. That's rare, as some times I have seen deaf characters, it's as if they were written by people who have no idea of the problems they face...or their kids (the vast majority of whom are hearing). Sadly, however, there are no special features to tell you about this, the making or the film or why they chose to make it! By the way, aside from a brief nude scene (you really don't see anything) this is good viewing for the family. I would hope non-deaf and deaf audiences alike would enjoy the film--I know I did. It was exceptionally well made and I loved the music. A quality production throughout.
*As you can see in the film, a teachers' conference with the parents where the child translates is a very BAD idea! In the US this often occurs and should call for a school-provided interpreter! The same can be said for when the parents were dealing with the bank and their daughter simply interpreted what she wanted to interpret and nothing more!
I have a rather unique perspective on "Beyond Silence" and so how I judge it maybe very different from the average viewer. My daughter is deaf and my wife and I are hard of hearing (mine is minor and began much more recently). So, a film that talks about issues pertaining to a family with deaf and non-deaf family members is naturally something that would appeal to us--and it would have many aspects to it that would be more important to us than the average viewer.
Here are some things an American deaf audience would probably like to know about the film. First, the sign language in this film is sometimes pretty easy to understand--German sign language is a but more like American sign language than is the British system. Sure, a few words here and there were different (that's to be expected), but some was identical or very similar and you should be able to follow what they are saying if you know American Sign Language. Plus, the same issues facing the deaf and hearing family members are the same throughout the world, so it won't matter that it takes place in Germany. Second, if you watch the film, select caption option #2--NOT #1. That's because although the German being spoken is translated (as is MOST of the sign language), when in a few tiny cases people speak English, this is NOT captioned if you choose option #1.
The film is about a dilemma I know about but have never seen on TV or in film. It's the story of a hearing child who has deaf parents--and there are many complications as a result of this. First, the hearing girl is the window to the world for the parents. This tiny kid ends up translating and even doing very adult conversations for the parents because the parents are not skilled at communicating any way other than sign language. And, at times, the child strongly manipulates her parents--translating thins in a manner that is best for her but not, at times, very accurate (this is a VERY common problem*). It's also a negative for the child, however, as their needs often become secondary and they are forced to give up much of themselves. It's not surprising, then, that Clarissa decides to take up music--something she can have that uniquely hers and separate from her parents. I thought it was fascinating that she chose the clarinet--an instrument deaf parents would have difficulty enjoying (had she chosen the bass or drums, the parents could have readily enjoyed along with her).
The film also brings up a lot of practical information that the typical person would not know. The fact that the parents (in their 30s to about 50 in the film) would only use sign language and have VERY limited vocal skills might surprise some. What might be more surprising is that the father's own family never really learned to communicate with him!! Sadly, only about 10% of the families with deaf kids learn sign language--the vast majority simply point or leave them out of what is happening. And so when this happens in the movie, I wasn't at all surprised but know it would be shocking to many to see family get togethers where NO ONE spoke with the deaf folks except their own child! That's really sad but the norm. And when the father becomes enraged because he is left out, you certainly can understand this--though his family just thinks he's an angry person or make excuses to baby him instead of addressing the problem.
As a result of these aspects of the film, it's obvious the folks who wrote the film grew up in such a home or know people who struggled with some of these same issues. That's rare, as some times I have seen deaf characters, it's as if they were written by people who have no idea of the problems they face...or their kids (the vast majority of whom are hearing). Sadly, however, there are no special features to tell you about this, the making or the film or why they chose to make it! By the way, aside from a brief nude scene (you really don't see anything) this is good viewing for the family. I would hope non-deaf and deaf audiences alike would enjoy the film--I know I did. It was exceptionally well made and I loved the music. A quality production throughout.
*As you can see in the film, a teachers' conference with the parents where the child translates is a very BAD idea! In the US this often occurs and should call for a school-provided interpreter! The same can be said for when the parents were dealing with the bank and their daughter simply interpreted what she wanted to interpret and nothing more!