Deaf

In Deaf, Eva Libertad crafts a pure and touching cinematic gem, a deeply empathetic and powerful exploration of the challenges of motherhood in a world unprepared to accommodate deafness.

In rural Spain, a young deaf woman, Ángela (Miriam Garlo), is expecting her first child with her hearing partner Héctor (Álvaro Cervantes). As they prepare for this life-changing moment, Ángela finds herself navigating not only the emotional and physical reality of pregnancy, but also the barriers she faces in a predominantly hearing world. These differences become even more pronounced at the onset of motherhood, and raising a child between two communities adds layers of frustration, resilience, and isolation to her journey. With a minimalist and poignant aesthetic, Deaf adopts a sensory-driven approach, to which carefully crafted sound design adds emotional depth and dramatic tension. 

More than a portrayal of deafness, the film sheds light on the silent struggles of those living outside dominant modes of communication. It offers a space for reflection on how society marginalises those who don’t fit into its norms. In doing so, Deaf becomes a quiet but powerful act of empathy and awareness, a meditation on the universal need to be seen, understood, and accepted.

Diego Ginartes Rodríguez