EXCLUSIVE: The BFI and BBC Film-backed directorial debut of Louise Stern, A Hand Rises, has wrapped its six-week shoot on location in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Kent.
A death ruptures a close-knit deaf community and power dynamics shift as people begin to question the woman they’ve all looked up to. Her daughter is caught up in the changing currents, and the turmoil isn’t helped by the presence of a hearing newcomer.
Leading the predominantly deaf cast are Raffie Julien, Brian Duffy, Matty Gurney and Claire Wetherall.
A Hand Rises is produced by Helen Simmons and Manon Ardisson, who developed the project. Chloe Culpin is co-producer.
Stern is a California-born, London-based artist, author and filmmaker, whose credits include Film4-backed short Boat. She is fourth generation deaf.
In her work Stern seeks to examine what it truly means to communicate, and has developed an immersive style of filmmaking through use of gesture and signing. “Telling the story of deaf people through our native physical language means all veils fall away and only emotion is left. A hand rises in excitement,” she commented.
Simmons said: ”Louise is a visionary artist and filmmaker and I cannot wait for people to experience the world she has created. A Hand Rises will be like nothing audiences have seen before. We have assembled an incredible cast and team on this, and it’s a pleasure to be working with BBC Film and the BFI again.”
Eva Yates, director of BBC Film noted: “Louise is an exceptional writer, artist and now filmmaker – it has been a great pleasure work with her and her brilliant producing team in crafting this screenplay and building her wonderful ensemble of cast. Her rigour, compassion and sharp eye promise a truly original film.”
”She’s a truly visionary storyteller, inquiring into the very nature of language and communication,” added Bays. “We’re also delighted to collaborate once again with producer Helen Simmons.”
No comments yet