In the Land of the Deaf
1992 French film
- BBC
- Canal+
- Fondation de France
- La Sept-cinéma
- RAI Tre
- Télévision Suisse Romande
Release date
- 1992 (1992)
Running time
French Sign Language
In the Land of the Deaf (French title Le Pays Des Sourds) is a French documentary created and produced by Nicolas Philibert in 1992.[1] The film is presented French Sign Language (FSL) and French, with English subtitles and closed captions.[2] Philibert uses sparse dialogue in creating an unsentimental, non-manipulative work which allows its subjects to communicate their feelings about the richness of life despite hearing problems.[3]
Prior to its initial theatrical release, this excursion into the unique world of Deaf communities in France was featured in international film festivals.
In its subsequent broadcast debut in the United States, the film was honored with a Peabody Award for excellence.[4]
Synopsis
This film focuses on the interrelationships between Deaf culture and language in France. Its overview encompasses a broad range of perspectives, contrasting the stories of a family who has been deaf and thriving for five generations with the story of a woman whose deafness was misunderstood, causing her to be confined for a time in an asylum for the insane.[2] The documentary features d/Deaf and hard of hearing people of all ages and from all walks of life. With their profound deafness in common, the children and adults featured in this film communicate their dreams and thoughts through sign language. In one segment, Philibert focuses his camera on group of schoolchildren who are learning how to communicate in a world where they must read lips and speak words.[5] The personal lives of some of the pupils and various adults are explored, including an actor, a sign-language teacher, and an engaged couple.[6]
Co-production
This documentary was co-produced by multinational partners, which reduced the financial risks inherent in the project; and co-production also ensured enhanced distribution opportunities.[7]
- Les Films d’Ici.[8]
- La Sept-cinéma.[8]
- Rhône-Alpes European Cinematographic Centre.[9][10]
- Canal +.[1]
- Rhône-Alpes région.[9]
- Centre National de la Cinématographie.[1]
- Fondation de France.[1]
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (France).[1]
- Rai Tre.[1]
- BBC Television.[1]
- Télévision Suisse Romande.[1]
Film festivals and honors
This small film has attracted an appreciative international audience. The quotidian life of the deaf as presented by Philibert is distinguished by an unsentimental compassion and an affirmation of the serendipitous.[11]
- Locarno International Film Festival (Switzerland), official selection, 1992.[1]
- Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival (Japan), official selection, 1993.[12]
- Cannes Film Festival (France), Prix de la Fondation GAN pour le Cinéma, 1992.[1][13][14][15]
- Festival dei Popoli (Italy), Grand Prize, 1992.[16]
- Vancouver International Film Festival (Canada), Grand Prize, 1993.[1]
- Valladolid International Film Festival (Spain), Special Jury Prize (Prix «Tiempo de Historia»), 1993.[1]
- Mumbai International Film Festival (India), Grand Prize, 1994.[17]
- San Francisco International Film Festival (USA), Golden Gate Award, 1994.[1]
- Potsdam International Film Festival (Germany), Best Documentary, 1994.[1]
- "Stephanie Beacham Award, 1994". Communication Awards.[1]
- Peabody Award (USA), 1997.[4]
See also
- List of Peabody Award winners (1990-1999)
- List of films featuring the deaf and hard of hearing
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "In the Land of the Deaf". France Diplomatie. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012.
- ^ a b "In the Land of the Deaf". Library Media Project. note that a brief segment in Japan includes Japanese Sign Language (JSL)
- ^ "Review: "In the Land of the Deaf". U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop's Office for Film and Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 19 October 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ a b "1997 Winners" (PDF). George Peabody Award. p. 64. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 July 2011.
- ^ Nickel, Mark (7 February 2000). "Brown to offer French Film Festival at Cable Car Cinema Feb. 10-20". Brown University News Service.
- ^ "In the Land of the Deaf (Le Pays des sourdes)". Harvard Film Archive. Archived from the original on 15 January 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "Co-Productions". Cine-Regio.
- ^ a b "In the Land of the Deaf (1993)". New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012.
- ^ a b "Le pays des sourds". Rhône-Alpes Cinéma. Archived from the original on 24 July 2009.
- ^ "Catalogue". Rhône-Alpes Cinéma. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009.
- ^ Kardish, Laurence. "Nicolas Philibert: The Extraordinary Ordinary". Museum of Modern Art. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "YIDFF '93 Screening List". Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival.
- ^ "Each and Every Moment" (PDF). Archipel 35. May 2018. p. 22. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ "In the Land of the Deaf". Ciné-resources.
- ^ Philibert, Nicolas. "Retour en Normandi" (PDF). Le pays des sourds. Archived from the original on 5 July 2009.
- ^ "Le pays des sourds". Festival dei Popoli. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011.
- ^ "Best non-fiction film over 40 mins". Mumbai International Film Festival (MFII). Archived from the original on 21 July 2011.
Further reading
- Boiron, Michel (April 2004). "Le pays des sourds" (PDF). TV5MONDE. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2008.
- Delaporte, Yves (2002). Les sourds, c'est comme ça: ethnologie de la surdimutité. Paris: Maison des sciences de l'homme. ISBN 978-2-7351-0935-7. OCLC 49382889
- Harrington, Richard (7 October 1994). "Review: "In the Land of the Deaf"". Washington Post.
- James, Caryn (14 September 1994). "Review: Discovering Eloquence Amid Silent Gestures". New York Times.
- Ramnarayan, Gowri (26 April 2004). "Lens view of life". The Hindu. Chennai. Archived from the original on 25 June 2004.
External links
- DailyMotion.en: Le pays des sourds—video clip, 01:23 mins.
- Le pays des sourds at Internet Movie Database
- In the Land of the Deaf at Rotten Tomatoes
- Nicolas Philibert website
