Back In 2011, many sections of Libyan society took up the armed struggle to overthrow Colonel Gadaffi and guess what? The deaf community in Libya was no different.
Remember seeing those pick-up trucks with huge guns welded to the back advancing and retreating across the desert? Well, they could have been made, driven and manned by the Misrata Deaf Brigade.
The Misrata Deaf Brigade is one of seven brigades of rebel fighters from the city of Mistrata and is made up of 100 deaf rebels from all over Libya.
The Third Brigade is a documentary that tells their story and is available to watch on BSLBT now.
It is presented by Daniel Abbou who is host of the French weekly programme for the deaf called L’Oeil et la main (Eyes and Hands). He visited the town of Misrata to meet the deaf soldiers who took an active part in the historic changes that redefined their country. Its in French sign language with English subtitles.
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Andy. Not him, me.
October 9, 2013
That’s really brilliant on so many levels. For starters it’s a gripping reality documentary. Wonderful work.
Also it is nice to see that my private theory is vindicated. This is that anyone, deaf or hearing will step up to the line when their country needs them. The vox pops are fascinating. Great work.
That boy’s driving and signing is the most dangerous thing in the film!
Those point fives (the machine guns in the film) must be tremendously damaging to the hearing. I have been near one when it was fired with blanks and the sound goes right through you. Really shattering. There must be a fair number of deafened people in Libya.
Can’t help wondering what would happen to these deaf soldiers if they got captured? Probably get a terrible kicking on top of everything else. They are probably at greater risk of abuse and death.
Most memorable film I have seen this year.