The Gallery at ONCA was packed to the brim on Sunday afternoon, people came from wide and far – 5 Deaf people sat in the audience – 4 of whom had chosen only to see your film from the whole festival and had come in from Newhaven they were also all in there 70’s and from long lineage of Deaf family’s also ..
I was delighted to recieve them into the gallery space and as Blackbirds mission statement is ‘ To go beyond borders and boundaries to re connect with ourselfs , each other and the earth — asking the continual question ” What is True diversity ?” – it felt totally perfect to have them with us . They were also the oldest group of people who had visited the festival .
I sat near them and sensitively observed , wondering if they may also need an interpreter ..
The subtitles were really well done and we are so greatfull for that – the film is so wonderfully visual and artistic and now totally accesable to Deaf audiences .
The group from Newbury were totally rivetted by the film and also really inspired -Norah was so excited she has emailed me a book she has been writting for 30 years about what it’s like for Deaf people fitting into a hearing world – she is keen to present it at Blackbirds and alongside Niclola Peel( Environmental Solutionist ) and Henny Waters ( An inspiring disabled aerialist ) in a one off Blackbirds/ ONCA event we are organising now called , ” How Can One Person Make a DIfference ?” …
