There was a fair amount of media attention surrounding this twenty-minute short film, not just because of the choice for casting, but also because of its makers, with headlines reading "from Hollyoaks to Hollywood", due to its success during Awards Season, directed by former Hollyoaks actors Chris Overton. Based on real events, set in rural England, profoundly deaf 4-year-old Libby (Maisie Sly) lives in a world of silence with her middle-class mother Sue (Rachel Fielding) and father Paul (Philip York), her family go about their daily business, and leave her sad staring at the television. Fresh faced and caring social worker Joanne (former Hollyoaks actress Rachel Shenton, also writing) comes into her life, to help and teach her to communicate with others, as she only understands people through lip reading. In a short space of time, Libby begins to open up and connect with the world around her, Joanne teaches her to communicate through sign language, and their relationship blossoms. But hassled mother Sue sees them spending a lot of time together playing and going places, she is envious of their relationship, Joanne receives a phone call from Sue, telling her she and Paul think speech therapy will be a better option. Joanne is heartbroken, she goes to see Libby one last time at her school, through the fence and the playground, they sign language that they love each other, and Joanne leaves. The film ends with important information: "90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents. Over 78% of deaf children attend mainstream school with no specialist support in place. Deafness is not a learning difficulty. With the right support, a deaf child can do exactly the same as a hearing child. We hope this film contributes in the fight for sign language to be recognised in every school across the globe." Also starring Anna Barry as Nancy, Sam Rees as Seb and Annie Cusselle as Pip. Shenton is really good as the saint-like social worker, but it is the beautiful portrayal of Sly, who is deaf in real life, that makes the story all the more authentic. Overton and Shenton specifically wanted to cast a real deaf child, this is ultimately a message movie, seeing how deafness can affect anybody, and what should really be done to help, it is clever in its use of subtitles, including when it is coloured to signify signing, it was fantastic to get an Academy Award nomination, and it was the righteous and deserved surprise winner, a terrific short drama film. It won the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. Very good!
Review of The Silent Child
