Voices from El-Sayed
Documentary on the Bedouin town of El-Sayed, located in the Negev Desert of Israel. The town contains the largest percentage of deaf people in the world, in which a unique sign language has been developed, making it the most popular language in a rare society that accepts deafness as natural as life itself. El-Sayed is also an example of an "unrecognized village," neglected by the State and deprived of basic amenities such as electricity. The film focuses on Salim, father of the deaf little boy, Muhammad, who has come to the decision to dramatically change his son's fate via a cochlear implant operation. Salim's decision is evoking great conflict and threatening the village's tradition of coexistence between deaf and hearing. The film follows the one year long rehabilitation progress of Muhammad through the point of view of the deaf community of the village. The larger issue of discrimination against disabled people in a modern society is also brought to light by this film
Documentaries and Factual Films
1 videodisc (75 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.
317980216
Parallel title in sign language
In Arabic or sign language with English subtitles
Cinematographers, Daniel Kedem, Ruayda el-Sayed, Oded Adomi Leshem ; editor, Aya Somech.