Deaf

Directed by Eva Libertad, Deaf (Sorda, 2024) tells the story of Ángela, a deaf mother (played by deaf sign language user Miriam Garlo), and her attempt to raise her child in a world that usually only takes hearing people into consideration. From the beginning of her pregnancy, Ángela has to endure belittling from healthcare professionals. Disabled viewers will find it easy to relate to this experience, and thanks to Garlo’s performance, the distress will resonate with any audience member. 

The tensions culminate in a traumatic scene in the delivery room, where the expectant mother is completely sidelined. After the birth, many people still believe they know better than Ángela how to be a mother. This creates pressure on the relationship between Ángela and her hearing partner Héctor (Álvaro Cervantes). A positive force in the film is the deaf community, where Ángela can be herself. 

This relatable and warm depiction of everyday life conflicts won the Audience Award at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Sanni Purhonen