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Director's Personal Statement: Film school created a space for me to create, specifically around the topic of hearing impairment. I have been hard of hearing since I was born, and I use a hearing aid in order to hear, but I am constantly afraid that the hearing aid will fail me and I will lose my connection to the hearing world around me. In my film "Naomi," the protagonist is a child who is hard of hearing, and grapples with the desire to be the same as everyone else, although she knows she isn't. She struggles with her choice to sacrifice her hearing in order to be a part of society. I have always felt that I didn't quite fit in. I'm not fully deaf but I also don't fully hear, which has led to me always feel that I don't quite belong in either identity. This film grew out of that feeling, with the goal of creating a space for a story that isn't often heard or seen. Through film I hope to create an experience for viewers that simulates the experience of those who are hard of hearing, and through this film specifically I'm learning to come to terms with myself and with my own disability.
Country: Israel
Bio: Ella Deutsch, born and raised in Yeruham, a small city in the south of israel, studied arts and theater from a young age. After her mandatory army service in the intelligence branch of the Air Force, Ella began her film studies at the Maaleh Film School. Ella is hearing impaired and the majority of her films are focused on characters who are hearing impaired and on their day to day lives and struggles. Ella currently lives in Jerusalem. “Naomi” is Ella’s second-year fictional film. She is at present working onthe script of her graduating fictional film.
