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Posts Tagged: Clin d’Oeil
6
Jul 11
The Professionalisation of Deaf Cinema
The recent awards ceremony at Clin d’Oeil has awarded the heroes of modern Deaf cinema and they are from the UK. They are Charlie Swinbourne, Bim Ajadi, William Mager, Louis Neethling and Ted Evans. These are the names you should remember and watch for years to come. They have taken the traditions of Deaf theatre from the Deaf club stage and brought it to the masses.
There is something about Deaf stories that can lighten and heavy any heart. Sign language has a comical twist where signs can be a visible pun but its metaphors can reverberate through the lives of many. The winning team have artistic, filming and authoring expertise that has become more polished from film to film. The Deaf film industry is growing up, they are professional and have potential to elbow some space in British cinema.
Deaf films would never have lifted off without the existence of BSL Broadcasting Trust, a small amount of money is commissioned to film makers that gives them the artistic freedom to push the boundaries. But this small investment has rewarded us ten-fold.
Hand Solo is a mockumentory of a Deaf porno star who gives atomic orgasms, or is it digitic? It is a story of unrequited love and betrayal disguised as a comic caper. What is impressive is the artistic amalgamation of superb acting, camera-work and special effects. The film looks polished and acute in its story telling, a story that anyone can understand. One does not have to be Deaf to appreciate the nuances of this film and laugh at the pixel fuzzing of the hyper-speed hand. There is a great comic duo developing between Matt Kirby and Ben Green that would inspire any script writer or director.
There are many others that are worthy of your attention, such as My Song and The End. Both have great story lines that challenges how we can talk about the Deaf community and bring real issues alive for all to see.
I feel a change in me after seeing these films. I can talk about Deaf films with great pride and place it on the list of great British cinema. I can grab the next stranger on the street and say, “have you seen our Deaf films?” Because, if you haven’t, you are certainly missing something.
Nb. To keep yourself up dated on Deaf cinema, go to BSLBT Zoom.
