The Silent Child | Oscar® Winning Short Film

Summary

The video script revolves around a family dealing with the challenges of raising Libby, a young deaf girl. The family is supported by Joanne, a professional who is helping Libby learn sign language, which is met with mixed reactions from the family. The mother, Sue, is particularly concerned about Libby's ability to communicate verbally and fears that sign language will isolate her daughter. The father, Paul, is seen as supportive but also preoccupied with other family commitments. Throughout the script, there are discussions about the importance of sign language, the potential need for an interpreter at school, and the emotional toll the situation takes on the family. The dialogue also reveals a surprise familial connection to deafness and the complexities of navigating educational and social systems for a child with special needs. The summary captures the family's journey as they explore various communication methods for Libby, highlighting the love, tension, and hope that define their experience.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The family is discussing the schedule for the evening, with a child named Cello having an appointment at six.
• 🩰 Another child, Pip, has a ballet class at 5:30, causing a scheduling conflict for the parents.
• 👵 An older individual finds it odd when elderly people use the term 'chill'.
• 🏠 Joanne, a helper, arrives early and is greeted by Paul, who is in a rush to leave.
• 👂 Libby, a child in the family, has a hearing aid but refuses to wear it, and there's no history of deafness in the family.
• 📚 Joanne, who is helping Libby, suggests using a combination of speech and sign language to communicate and boost the child's confidence.
• 📱 Paul's mother calls, causing a brief interruption in the conversation between Joanne and Suzanne.
• 🍞 During breakfast, the family dynamic is displayed, with a focus on Libby's communication through sign language.
• 🏫 Concerns are raised about Libby's future communication at school, with suggestions to focus on lip-reading or sign language.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The family is encouraged to learn sign language as a way to support Libby, but the feasibility is questioned due to other commitments.
• 👵 A misunderstanding occurs when Paul's mother assumes Libby is Paul's biological child, revealing a family secret.
• 📞 Joanne receives a call indicating that Libby's parents have decided to stop the sign language lessons in favor of speech therapy.

Q & A

What time is the cello lesson?

The cello lesson is at six.

Why is there a scheduling conflict with Pip's ballet class?

Pip has ballet at 5:30, which overlaps with the cello lesson at six, making it difficult for the parents to manage both activities.

Who is Joanne and what is her role?

Joanne is a helper who is coming to assist with Libby, particularly to help her with confidence and communication skills.

What challenge does Libby face regarding her hearing?

Libby is deaf and relies on lip-reading for communication. She does not use her hearing aid and did not qualify for a cochlear implant.

How do Libby's parents feel about her hearing condition?

Libby's mother feels guilty for not realizing Libby's deafness earlier, but both parents are determined to support her. They are uncertain about the best methods for her communication and education.

What approach does Joanne suggest for improving Libby's communication?

Joanne suggests using a combination of speech therapy and sign language, as many children respond well to sign language because it is less frustrating.

Why does Sue hesitate to fully embrace sign language for Libby?

Sue is concerned that focusing on sign language might not be practical as it is not widely known by others at Libby's school and within the family.

What is the family's opinion on Libby's progress with Joanne?

The family acknowledges that Joanne is doing a good job and that Libby is progressing, but they are still uncertain about the best long-term approach.

How does the conversation reveal Sue's concerns about being a mother?

Sue expresses her desire for Libby to be 'normal' and perfect, indicating her struggle with accepting and adapting to Libby's deafness.

What final decision do Libby's parents make regarding her communication education?

Libby's parents decide to prioritize speech therapy over sign language, believing it will be more beneficial for her integration at school.