Ibtissam KASMI
The Silent Child By Chris Overton 2017
"The Silent Child," directed by Chris Overton and written by Rachel Shenton, is a poignant
Oscar-winning short film released in 2017, which also won the Academy Award for Best
Live Action Short Film in 2018. The film stars Maisie Sly as Libby, Rachel Shenton as
Joanne, and other notable cast members include Rachel Fielding and Philip York. This
impactful film addresses the challenges faced by deaf children in a hearing world,
highlighting the importance of communication and inclusion.
The story follows Libby, a deaf four-year-old girl living in a silent world. Libby is part of a
busy, hearing family who seem to put little to no effort into communicating with her. Enter
Joanne, a caring and determined social worker, who recognizes Libby's intelligence and
potential. Joanne begins to teach Libby British Sign Language (BSL), opening up a new
world of communication for her. As Libby starts to thrive and connect with her surroundings,
Joanne faces resistance from Libby's family, who are hesitant to learn sign language and
prefer to focus on speech therapy. The film culminates in a powerful message about the
importance of embracing sign language to support deaf individuals.
The central theme of "The Silent Child" is the importance of communication and inclusion
for deaf individuals. The film highlights the isolation and frustration that can result from a
lack of understanding and support. It also emphasizes the need for families and society to
embrace sign language as a rather imperative tool for enabling deaf children to communicate
and live a “ normal” life. The film also addresses broader issues of accessibility and the right
of deaf individuals to be heard and understood.
The film uses close-up shots which effectively conveys the emotions of the characters,
particularly the ones about Libby portraying isolation and joy as she learns to communicate.
Moreover, The use of sound is generally minimal, sometimes completely “ silent” (from
minute 5:10 to 5:47), allowing the audience to experience the quietness that defines Libby's
life. However, when music is used, it is soft and somber, highlighting the emotional moments
of the film without overpowering the narrative
The film is deeply moving and thought-provoking. It draws attention to the often-overlooked
challenges faced by deaf children and the importance of sign language in their lives. The film
left a lasting impression on me, making me realize the need for a greater awareness and
support for the deaf community.
As someone who’s pursuing an educational career, "The Silent Child" could open my eyes on
significant implications for education, particularly the need for inclusive practices and the
The Silent Child By Chris Overton 2017
"The Silent Child," directed by Chris Overton and written by Rachel Shenton, is a poignant
Oscar-winning short film released in 2017, which also won the Academy Award for Best
Live Action Short Film in 2018. The film stars Maisie Sly as Libby, Rachel Shenton as
Joanne, and other notable cast members include Rachel Fielding and Philip York. This
impactful film addresses the challenges faced by deaf children in a hearing world,
highlighting the importance of communication and inclusion.
The story follows Libby, a deaf four-year-old girl living in a silent world. Libby is part of a
busy, hearing family who seem to put little to no effort into communicating with her. Enter
Joanne, a caring and determined social worker, who recognizes Libby's intelligence and
potential. Joanne begins to teach Libby British Sign Language (BSL), opening up a new
world of communication for her. As Libby starts to thrive and connect with her surroundings,
Joanne faces resistance from Libby's family, who are hesitant to learn sign language and
prefer to focus on speech therapy. The film culminates in a powerful message about the
importance of embracing sign language to support deaf individuals.
The central theme of "The Silent Child" is the importance of communication and inclusion
for deaf individuals. The film highlights the isolation and frustration that can result from a
lack of understanding and support. It also emphasizes the need for families and society to
embrace sign language as a rather imperative tool for enabling deaf children to communicate
and live a “ normal” life. The film also addresses broader issues of accessibility and the right
of deaf individuals to be heard and understood.
The film uses close-up shots which effectively conveys the emotions of the characters,
particularly the ones about Libby portraying isolation and joy as she learns to communicate.
Moreover, The use of sound is generally minimal, sometimes completely “ silent” (from
minute 5:10 to 5:47), allowing the audience to experience the quietness that defines Libby's
life. However, when music is used, it is soft and somber, highlighting the emotional moments
of the film without overpowering the narrative
The film is deeply moving and thought-provoking. It draws attention to the often-overlooked
challenges faced by deaf children and the importance of sign language in their lives. The film
left a lasting impression on me, making me realize the need for a greater awareness and
support for the deaf community.
As someone who’s pursuing an educational career, "The Silent Child" could open my eyes on
significant implications for education, particularly the need for inclusive practices and the
