Hollywood actress to star in tear-jerking UK film about a deaf teenager’s dream

A Hollywood star has been cast in the role of a deaf child from London in a short-film due to made later this year. Aryana Engineer, who is from Canada, has starred in two Hollywood films and the opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and takes the lead role in short-film Dreaming of Peggy Lee. With substantial roles in big-budget thrillers Orphans and Resident Evil: Retribution, Aryana, who is deaf herself, will arrive in the UK in November for filming.

Dreaming of Peggy Lee is set to be one of the most star-studded UK films featuring a deafness-related storyline and deaf acting talent. Acclaimed actor David Foxxe will also feature. Foxxe brings with him an impressive CV with multiple film, theatre and TV roles, including Little Britain. One further highly rated UK film actress is also in talks.

Making his cinematic debut in the film is 13-year-old Will Palmer from Peterborough. Will, who is also deaf and a keen footballer, will play the co-lead role.

The film is being made by UK production company One Big Mop Productions and director James Everett is currently crowd-funding for the project, inviting people to contribute towards the £10,000 budget.

Still early in his career, Everett has earned plenty of success with his first two films. His most recent film, I’ll Be Home Soon, made the grade to feature at the Hollywood Film Festival and his first film called Sex On The Beach, won best short film at the St. Tropez International Film Festival. Dreaming of Peggy Lee will be also be shown at Film Festivals around the world.

The film is to be set in London and follows two deaf teenagers as they escape from an oppressive care home to live the musical dream of Engineer’s character before the net closes in. The film is designed to be accessible to both hearing and deaf audiences with subtitles, lip reading and some sign language while the drama takes place in a spectacular 40’s musical soundscape.

Director Everett posted a video to a fundraising website where he set out his vision for the film (below). If you would like to contribute to the production, feature in the credits, be an extra and receive a limited edition copy of the film prior to its general release, visit the films fundraising page.