Deaf

An empathetic exploration of motherhood seen through the eyes of a deaf woman whose place in the world is challenged with the arrival of a new baby.

Deaf, professional potter Anna (Miriam Garlo) is living an idyllic life with her loving and supportive partner Hector (Álvaro Cervantes), who is not deaf. When the happy couple receives the exciting news that Anna is expecting, they begin preparing for life as parents. However, simmering beneath the surface is the uncertainty that their baby might be born hard of hearing.

What this 50/50 chance means to Anna and Hector becomes painfully clear as they grapple with the challenges of new parenthood. Meanwhile, Anna begins to question her place in a hearing world that is not always accommodating to her needs.

Curator's note
Director Eva Libertad expands on her 2023 award‑winning short of the same name, which also starred Garlo (who gives an intelligent, expressive performance) and who happens to be the director’s sister.

Anchored by the palpable chemistry between the two leads, Deaf paints an authentic exploration of the challenges faced by the hard of hearing and probes the complex dynamics of being in a relationship where perceived differences can alienate you from loved ones. Libertad astutely uses sound (or its absence) to draw you into Anna’s world, creating a compassionate and nuanced portrait of a woman’s growing doubt about her role as a mother.