Film Analysis: The Silent Child

In fig 5 we can see Larry looking up at Tom in a dark space and dirty colours. The lighting is dull, dark and dirty, giving the impression that mischief is being planned by one of the lead protagonists (Larry) and championed by Tom. While in fig 6 we can see Sophie and Larry sitting alone. The colours are warm and inviting and the two have matching eyelines which indicates that they are both on the same wavelength, unlike Tom and Larry in Fig 5.

What is interesting is how the film does not treat the subject as objects of pity or deserving of sympathy but rather as people who are self-determining and who offer a real perspective on the world around them.

2.3 Specific Techniques for depicting disabilities (Camera angles, framings, point

In the opening scenes we see a mother unable and unwilling to understand the world Libby lives in and speaks with her as if she were a hearing child. Libby lives in a world of silence until she finds support from Joanne a social worker who teaches her sign language which had not been taught in mainstream school.
As the story unfolds we see the divisions between two women in terms of their thinking, understanding and willingness to support Libby in the way she needs. These divisions are shown through the use of prop placement and camera angles. It is also shown with the use of light and dark and warm and cold colours.
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Fig 14
Fig 12

The conclusion is particularly upsetting as Libby is enrolled in a hearing school, where she struggles to keep up with her peers. She is feeling isolated from everyone else and her only connection to the speaking world is behind the gate, like a jail cell. This gives the sense of loss to the viewer, that society can not see the bigger picture that is needed for the deaf.

Both films shine light on issues faced by these disabled group s and demonstrate that roles relating to disabled characters can be played by disabled actors. These types of films open dialogues and hopefully prompt for wider debate about the issues that should be a concern to a healthy society.

Other counter examples include Michael J Fox in his role as Louis Canning in the CBS drama ‘The Good Wife’ He was able to show that just because he is an actor with a disability did not mean that he should be limited to roles where he is portrayed as helpless and needs sympathy from the viewers. Canning is the antithesis of the tired ‘pity’