Search - Beyond Silence on DVD

Jenseits der Stille

cnyadan | Bavaria, Germany | 05/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was an absolutely beautiful movie. It tells the story of Lara, a child with normal hearing who has two deaf parents. Although her parents can function without Lara, her parents have come to depend on her as a link to the 'hearing' world, even though she is very, very young. Needless to say, the deafness of her parents has created interesting personality dynamics in Lara's world. One of the most strained relationships is between Lara's father and his sister Clarissa. When Clarissa introduces Lara to the clarinet, this is something that Lara latches on to, even though her parents can't comprehend the music she's playing. Because of this, and because it is Clarissa who wants her to keep at it, her parents are less than overjoyed. The film revolves around Lara growing up and excelling at playing the clarinet, and the decisions she has to make if she wants to pursue her music at a higher level. None of the characters are transparent or superficial; one gets the idea of their thoughts and their reasonings by the way they act and interact with one another.The DVD is in German, with options for English subtitles or English for the hearing impared (It would be sad if they didn't; after all, this is a film about deaf people.) The only other "extra" is basically an advertisement for "other films you might like". However, this shouldn't deter one from enjoying this absolutely exquisite film."

I have been waiting so long...

jstadnic | Vancouver, BC, Canada | 02/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I had any musical talent, this film could easily be my life. The story is about a young hearing girl, Lara, growing up with two deaf parents. Lara often uses her parent's disability to her advantage, sometimes not relaying all the information in a conversation when she is asked to interpret, or outright lying in these scenarios. Her aunt, Dad's sister, presents her with a clarinet and develops a tight bond with Lara. Their relationship is very different than that of Lara and her parents simply due to the communication factor. Lara wishes her aunt was her mother. The conflict in the film arises from the issues Lara's father has with her love for music. He is tormented by family memories of his sister being adored for her musical talent, while he is hauled off to the other room to be locked up like an animal. This is an amazing film. As a hearing child of deaf parents, it comes closest to my own experiences and frustrations with deaf and hearing culture internal and external to the family unit. It is easily in my top-five films of all time."

Great representation

jstadnic | 05/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i was a deaf education major in college and can safely say that this is the best representation i have ever seen of the deaf community. it is an excellent movie and i HIGHLY recommend it."

"Beyond Silence" celebrates growing up loved and loving.

rbpalmer@ix.netcom.com | Half Moon Bay, California | 02/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lara's answer to her deaf father's anxious query: "Have I lost you?" is "I've loved you since the day I was born". The innocence and power of that simple answer brought tears to my eyes. This wonderful movie takes the viewer on a noncynical, nonneurotic journey of family love challenged, and at the same time deeply enriched by disability. Beyond Silence reminds us that our families both shelter and constrain, and that we must dream and love and work our way into new relationships that will shelter and support us without trapping us. I loved the lyrical weave of words translated into sign language. Watching Beyond Silence reminded me of seeing beautiful ensemble dancers accompanied by the haunting notes of an instrument rarely seen in movies--the clarinet. The innocent, captivating beauty of the young Lara captured my imagination as well as my heart. I loved this movie and cannot wait to share it with everyone I know. It is a movie that celebrates the human heart and spirit. Worth Five stars and more. In the same league as What's Eating Gilbert Grape? and Dominick and Eugene. Worth its weight in gold."