Deaf News: New independent film featuring sign language looks for funding

A new independent film is underway that features period-specific sign language, classic literature, and lush soundscape co-composed by Grammy-winning deaf percussionist and composer, Dame Evelyn Glennie.

The film has already raised over $6000 through online funding.

A Hound on the Hill is a bilingual feature film about a young French peasant who encounters forbidden love against the wishes of his Deaf parents. The US-based production will begin this February in Burgundy, France, and the film’s cast includes Craig Fogel, Amelia Hensley, Howie Seago and Jackie Roth.

The films themes explore love, language and fate from an unorthodox perspective. Instead of youthful rebellion as the path to true love, this is a film that the makers say challenges modern attitudes of self-fulfillment and the fervent pursuit of personal gain.

Based on a short story by Leo Tolstoy, screenwriter and director Ben Stamper describes the inspiration behind the project:

“As a filmmaker, I’ve always been interested in communication through movement and the beauty of visual language. The original story has a lot to do with identity and testing cultural and social norms, and I want to make a film that incorporates sign as a normal way of communicating from a literary perspective, rather than a trite film with token Deaf characters. Monique Holt, who is my Director for Artistic Sign, has been an amazing person to work with because of her background in translating Shakespeare and folklore into sign. She’s really opened my eyes to the intricacy and expandability of different signs around the world.”

A Hound on the Hill is currently raising funds for their production. You can find out more about the project and support the work here:  https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-hound-on-the-hill-film-europe/x/107670#/