Hear Me - A Short Film Drama 

When a defense mechanism that kept you alive, becomes a prison.

My father had selective mutism for the first four years of his life. He lived on a farm with his parents & siblings, who just kept him occupied with chores. They weren’t too concerned about his SM because his physical & cognitive abilities were in excellent order. One evening during dinner, he asked for the potatoes. Everyone was in shock. My Grandma asked if he could speak, he replied ‘yes’. And then she asked why he hadn’t spoken for so long, his response ‘I didn’t have anything to say.’ My father was accepted to almost every Ivy League, full academic scholarships. He chose Oberlin, an excellent non IvyLeaque liberal arts college. He identified with their philosophy. He continued to receive two PhD’s in Economics & Philosophy. Became a professor. His later years were spent drinking & barely speaking. He was a good man but rarely spoke. In a way, his SM continued throughout his life but in bouts. I’m guessing this world was just too depressing for him, he just didn’t have much to say. I miss you Dad, wish we could have had more chats but I love that you were my Dad.

I developed selective mutism in the 7th grade. My home life was filled with violence and unpredictable behaviors. It started as a stutter because I just couldn't function normally anymore. I was then mocked and subjected to my dad's rage because of it. I was a living, breathing example of what an awful human he was. Eventually, I stopped speaking altogether. And I had loved to talk before! My mother hired a speech therapist and would have him come when my father wasn't home. He was so patient and had such a beautiful energy that I began to have hope again. He brought me out of that darkness and allowed me to find my voice again. I still use the methods he taught me when I feel tempted to succumb to the silence again. God bless all those who suffer and all those who help.

To be so traumatized that it literally takes your voice away is utterly heartbreaking. But one day your voice will break through the pain, the hurt, the loss, the grief. Because it is YOUR voice and no one else's. Only you can decide when you are ready.

Trauma leaves us speechless until we’re ready to face it with our words.

I taught a boy with selective mutism. I never knew his reason but my instinct told me he had become unable to speak because he couldn’t risk saying anything wrong. He came in to my special needs class, he left the college I taught in with a degree. He was there 7 years. I still feel proud that he left my class talking. Not a lot, but talking and confident in his abilities to succeed. His ultimate achievement was one of the most moving moments of my teaching career. I will never forget him.

Wow, when I heard her say "here" I couldn't help it, I got choked up. What it took for her to say that one simple word--I could feel the fear but also the courage and then the triumph all in that brief scene. This was such a beautiful film.

This deserves so much more attention! I've lived with selective mutism my whole life, The story really shows what its like to have it even though not everyone has the same situation as the main character, I was crying from how real this is. My SM has got a lot better in high school today I had a sub teacher and there was another person with the same name as me the person the teacher asked to help her with the names doesn't know me so she asked and I manged to talk, she also said i wasn't here and the one that wasn't there was and i manged to correct her, I would usually stay quite and annoy myself with that later, I'm so proud i manged to do that. I'm sorry for saying that here but i have no one to tell that story to.

Lost my father this week. Neither of us were big talkers . “I miss your silence, because I knew you could hear me” Hit me so hard

I was raised in a very loud, abusive home with a narcissistic father. I never developed selective mutism. Instead, I developed an aversion to eye contact. My father would fly into a rage for literally no reason at all and shout at me. He demanded I look in his eyes, from my earliest memories so I'm not sure exactly when it started. All I know is that it affected me well into adulthood and took decades of practice before I was comfortable with most eye contact. I'm nearly 55 now. So, while our defense mechanisms may be different, I understand. I get it.

The ending gave me incredibly big shivers. It is almost the exact same setting and word i used when i started talking

Beautiful film. This resonates deeply with me. I came from a large family with extreme religious trauma and neglect. The demand for obedience lead me to go mute. School was traumatic. I used to tell myself that I just needed to say one word, just say hi to one person, and not being able to and coming home bawling because I couldn't and never knew why. It lead to a life of trauma, abusive relationships and alcohol addiction. I tend to ruminate in my mind words or phrases but its usually jumbled and doesnt make sense. I usually delete things i write or post. I already wrote and deleted this whole thing like 5 times i dont know why 😭

I’ve had selective mutism for as long as I can remember. And, while my situation isn’t exactly the same as the character’s in the movie, it’s still nice the see some representation/awareness spread regarding selective mutism. Really great film.

Made me cry. My mother took her life. I wasn’t a child but i wasn’t ready for that. I will tell my grandchildren not to judge others because we do not know their possible pain. Excellent short film!

Thanks so much for this film - it has really helped me. I suffered selective mutism for 6 months after my brother died. My father displayed cruel, physically and sexually abusive tendencies towards my sisters and brothers. He was merciless. Fortunately no one died young because of it - but all of my family have physical and mental issues because of it - I myself had psychosis and didn’t speak for 3 years from 2018 - 2021. I started Inner yoga with an amazing kind, compassionate and embodied yoga teacher - Jenny Beeken- who also taught me ancient yogic texts - she saved my life. I am now doing a MSc in mindfulness and have an active yoga career - I am a shiatsu therapist and teach languages. I have now found a trauma therapist who has given me an opportunity to really see what happened to my family. It’s tough but I feel like a lioness- who protects the vulnerable and voiceless. I have started a young women’s group- mentoring talented inspiring young people. I am grateful for all who have helped me. I am grateful for this movie🙏🧘‍♀️🐝

The very young actor who plays Kennedy as a child moved me the most. I saw my younger self in her expressions and movements, and her presence actually made this story come to life for me. I imagine my abuser seeing this little girl, and doing the things he did, through his eyes, and I am confounded. As a child of course you believe you are the cause of your abuse. The tea party scene made me sob; I would have so many nightmares that my mother would either abandon my family or pass away. Someone made a comment about their Mom enrolling them in speech therapy when their angry father would be out of the home and I thought about a mother’s sadness and strength when they end up married to an abuser with small children, dependent, isolated, traumatized and exhausted. That my mother would die and I’d be left with my father was my greatest fear. I am so impressed by this short film and though it would be tough to think of the right person to share it with, I am going to save it so that I can come back to it when I need to consider that brave little girl that did everything she could to get through a difficult childhood. To grow up, use my voice powerfully, have faith, and help change the law around SA&DV has been one of my greatest achievements❤. I love that this was a story of empowerment - a true triumph of the human spirit.

Wow, I actually want to cry. I’m so proud of her! “Here” yes you are! So many people are silent, I remember when I use to be. I pray many more find their voice! This short film deserves way more attention!!!

The scene where she was brushing the other girls hair.That made me cry.Great short film!

Thank you. I never heard about Selective Mutism until my mid 40s (57 now). All I can say is that there are a number of traits that I find very familiar, especially while growing up. My life has been spent often feeling dismissed or invisible. I shared this on my Facebook page. No one has responded so far, so I reacted to it myself. Through the years, there have been pockets of people who do see and hear me. I matter, and so do you. ❤

This is one of the best short movies I've ever seen. I hope it will inspire people with selective mutism not to give up and other people to be more supportive

This was a remarkable film that left me shedding some tears. I could see the pain Kennedy was going through, but the horrific experience that she had to endure at such a young age was so traumatic that it kept her from speaking and expressing herself, which was literally heart breaking. It was even more sad when she could have had the chance to go to all of these prestigious colleges, but because of her not being able to speak it obviously interfered with her chances. She was capable of so much, but she was in so much pain and the most important thing she wanted to be able to do was to express how much she missed and loved her mom. The woman that worked with her after theater class was so kind, sweet, and patient and I truly believe that she helped Kennedy break through that wall she had built up around her. It was magic to my ears when she just said "here" at the end when the teacher was taking attendance. Yes, it was only one word, but then that leads to a few more words and then into sentences and so forth. This was a captivating, well written story that really tugged at my heartstrings. I absolutely loved it, and I just wanted to say you did a tremendous job. I'd love to see more of your work in the future and thank you for sharing/uploading this incredible story.

I can’t believe I came across this, without knowing what it was about at first, to my surprise, a topic that over 14 years of my daughter’s suffering in silence, there was no one who even recognized it. As a mother, this was a heat break for me to see her, so outgoing and talkative at home, but school, and mostly everywhere else, silence. No one could understand, teachers, family, friends. I worried when I wasn’t with her, cause she couldn’t speak for herself, that something could happen. This is my daughter, head down, couldn’t get the words out, finally we got help from a fantastic doctor who specialized in SM. We had to go out of town, but finally I seen improvement. It was a miracle, when she started talking to people, ordering at restaurants, stores, doctors. I thank God every day for this miracle. I am so proud of her, she has come along way. Now she doesn’t need me for her voice, she has her own, and it is beautiful. Bless others who struggle with this, it is so difficult for others to understand. I’m so happy for her in the movie, many tears, cause I know how painful it can be.

From "The King's Speech," a must see, "No one is born with a speech impediment." (Physiological reasons do exist though.) I had 4 years of speech therapy in grade school. I was too young to be able to understand and explain that the reason it was taking me so long; my trauma was still living in the same house with us and fostering another to perpetuate abuse. In the movie after his father dies and his brother abdicated, he is able to overcome with much determination finally as an adult.

How are kids so cruel? Blessed these children who go through this… good short film.

touched me deeply. Anyone who's ever had their free speech suppressed, as is common now in modern American society, but has always been present, has my deepest sympathy.

This is Oscar worthy! Loved every second of it!

Watching this brought tears to my eye at the end. So much trauma and work she went through.

This is amazingly profound on so many levels. And while the subject at hand was selective mutism, there are many ways we as human beings become "mute" as we respond to the traumas and challenges life throws our way. Through our struggles, the greatest accomplishment we can exhibit is to show up and say "here".

I was born with a cleft palate and when a child nobody could understand what I was saying. Phoniatrics improved my speech, but I would still talk with difficulty. High School was pretty bad because of the teasing. Even my "father" would tease me. I finally dropped out of school. Many times I felt like expressing myself, but feel very insecure, even today at almost 70 y/o. Many things I kept (and keep) inside me, many times I was misunderstood. I wonder if autism has similar consequences.

We all need to be loved, and in particular small children. A parent's duty is to stand with their child and do the best they can to help their child overcome any problems with their child's development.

I am not an ardent drama film fan but, this was a good film. Short films can have more power than a feature film. Same with fantasy, horror films.A longer film version of this production would become predictable. The actress as the teacher was great. Low key,honest. Many people who have overcome great difficulties have someone like the teacher in their story. I look forward to more films from this director.

Was excellent. I was hoping for just for a little faith towards the end . That fox hole prayer I once prayed during a traumatic time in my life did come true,, just took years to see it .

I watched my younger brother live with SM, and he has been able to overcome so much over time. This short film really brought a new perspective to it.

I’ve heard of mutism in autistic people and deaf people, but never as a trauma response. This film had me crying so much. Especially the end. This film is beautiful. I pray God heals everyone dealing with trauma, in Jesus name. I hope everyone who struggles to speak is given their voice back.

Kennedy didn't deserve to be kicked out just because she doesn't use her speaking devices

Yes I cried. There are many forms of this inability to speak and not everyone has the ability to find people who can help. There is inescapable suffering but the important thing is to keep trying to escape it regardless. Use those instincts and skills that kept you alive to persistently attempt to bend reality and force it to make room for your voice. Then you will have a certain peace even if you fail.

What an absolutely moving story. All the way through my heart was tense, almost hurting. I feel her pain even now as I try to write my comment. Not being able to write the thoughts, feelings, and intensity of my reaction to my Father's last 20 months of his life since July 7, 1997 has nearly ruined my children and grandchildren's lives and taken a bit of my will to live every single day since then. It shocked me when she spoke, not because she finally did, but for the lack of melodramatic sound that occurred thereafter. I still am processing the huge internal effort required and massive invisible barrier removed within her soul that permitted her to give a vocal response to class roll call. Having accomplished such a feat produced no sound at all, only permission to remain.

What an amazing story. And quite the tear jerker as well. Beautiful.

What a beautiful and heart-wrenching short film. If the society watched more short films that are often deep and provide an insight into the human mind and condition I wonder what kind of society we would have than the one consuming commercial films and other junk content.

My niece , abused since she was born, especially by her family, can speak (& even get angry), but is growth-stunted, in all ways, & although many tried to get her out of her home situation, & help her, they were stimmied at every turn………I pray for her, now, in her early 20’s, as she has SO much to learn, from scratch……..

"here".... I love this actres that made me forget she is playing it I suffer from PTSD and have time periods where I can not speak

It make me cried, listening her words through her journal..🥺🥺🥺🥺

You did a beautiful job with this film. Far more sensitive to the underlying issues than I expected it would be when I first spotted it. (Not because of who you are, but because I deal with a disability due to physical trauma, and I am well-acquainted with how poorly American culture prepares people to address these issues authentically. Which means there is a great need for more films like this -- for all of us, everyone, not least of all the people who are dealing with trauma or injury that makes them stand out as "different" or "strange" from what is considered socially "normal." Everyone in the US of course claims they don't believe in the idea of "normal," really... But the truth is our culture is still pervaded and dominated by this concept. So much so, that most people are completely unaware and unconscious of how their own everyday behavior can increase the sense of isolation and not belonging. And these are feelings that people who are traumatized or different often already tend to carry in a abundance. And when people are made aware that they are unwittingly contributing, they still don't know how to respond authentically most of the time. And this happens because 1) no one has taught them, and 2) the truth is that the situation honestly doesn't "feel normal" to them at all, because of the lack of experience. And that feels embarrassing to many people, so the impulse is to just avoid the situation entirely. And so experience is never gained. It's like being caught in a maze that is a giant mouse trap. This is why films like yours are important, and necessary, for everyone! At the very least it helps people to at least become more aware and familiar with the situations these conditions may create, so that these situations begin to become less confusing and/or threatening. Another difficulty you didn't have time or opportunity to address in this film (understandably), but which needs to be discussed much more openly, is that one of the biggest reasons people lack experience in interacting with those who are different, or who carry the burden of impaired ability, is that our entire social system is geared to keep separate, that is "put away out of sight" people who are seen as problematic to society in some way. And anything that veers away from the already accepted or desirable physical and social norms is considered, consciously or unconsciously, "problematic." That is: requiring special attention and therefore extra energy, costs more in $'s, requires more thought, etc. (I'm talking about the system, and the culture which informs it, here, not any one person. Let's be clear.) The last 7 years have become even harder in this respect because the political climate has made people who are chronically sick, old, poor, disabled, traumatized, or socially "different" into objects of suspicion. All of these attitudes have spread further and become more exaggerated. For example: "People who are disabled are really faking it, and stealing from the system when they really could be working. You could work and support yourself if you just tried harder. Which means you are weak-willed and don't deserve help. Also, if you were more positive and grateful about everything all the time, you could (miraculously, we must note) heal yourself." Therefore, those of us who are not already beating up on ourselves and feeling ashamed (we are subconsciously infected by these socio-political attitudes, too, just like everyone else), on top of whatever pain or trauma we are dealing with, we find we are now also all freeloaders who are guilty until proven innocent. If we are forced into poverty as a consequence of these social attitudes, by things like the tightening and further cutting of social welfare programs (the disabled are always the first to get hit, and the ones who are hit the hardest -- yet we are the last to be mentioned in political discourse, if we are ever mentioned at all)... This causes us to be looked upon with further suspicion and resentment, for that is how we look upon the poor in this country. So we are doubly condemned for a situation that is not of our choosing or making. (And those of us who have no real family, or have family that is unwilling or unable to support us -- and there are many of us in this circumstance -- are being forced into poverty routinely.) On top of that, we are invited to feel ashamed if we try to speak out about this, as I am doing now. We are further ostracized with silence, and/or remarks are made carrying unconscious attitudes similar to these: "You should feel grateful for anything you do receive, no matter if it leaves you buried and trapped so far below the poverty line you can't see your way out under any circumstance. After all, it's really your fault you can't support yourself. You should just be grateful you're not dead." All of these attitudes are held in place in American culture by an underlying philosophy. In the interest of brevity, the root issue is that Americans see the world as composed of separate individuals struggling alone in a ruthless competition to survive in a vicious dog eat dog world where everyone is out to kill you. Americans in general don't know how to live life based on consciously embracing community as family, and we generally believe that such an idea is stupid, naive and foolish when push comes to shove anyway. To ask for help is shameful, because to need help is weakness, and weakness is death. A society based on these philosophical beliefs will always resent the vulnerable, see them as a burden, and secretly wish to be rid of them. None of these attitudes can ever be changed permanently until the underlying philosophy openly revealed, admitted, discussed, and eventually abandoned for a better way: A way that sees and works with Life as the vast, global community of intimately connected and interdependent beings that it actually is. That is why your work with a film like this is so important, not just for those who struggle with this particular traumatic condition, but for all people who struggle with conditions and situations that mark them as different from the average or "norm" within the bell curve of human experience. We say change begins at home, and what is more "at home" than nurturing an expanding sense of community and generating a compassionate desire for inclusiveness. By making a film like this you widen the opportunity to speak openly and discuss what was held in secret before, moving everyone forward toward healing in ways that carry an incalculable potential for a more generous world. All the best to you and your friends -- I hope to see many more films like this from you.

Unbelievably good. One of the rare times I haven't FF or played a YT video at 1.5x speed. Incredible acting. Lovely actress. Full marks all of the way around.

Really well done. As a music teacher, I’ve seen the power of finding your voice, literally and metaphorically. And all the layers that can block it, from parents to relationships and other trauma. This was so well written and totally original. Nice work.

Very emotional and well done job!! Great directed and the actress was incredible!!

Nothing as touched me as much as this short film, in a long time. Well done to all involved and thankyou very much. Hare Krishna. 🙏

The film is going along fine, then 2 minutes before it's over BAM!, gets you right in the feels. Well done!

She had the courage to take the bull by the horns, and embrace any circumstances that would result. She enrolled in a PUBLIC SPEAKING class which, more than any other undergraduate college class, requires a substantial amount of speaking. We can confidently know that we saw the beginning of the character's journey into a world where she most likely learns how to share her thoughts and ideas elegantly. The fact that there was no fanfare whatsoever after her vocal response gives a wonderful "to be continued" feeling to this marvelous short film.

Wow. I never even knew SM was a thing! But now I think I know what I’ve had my while life!!!!! Wow. I’m totally blown away. I’ve rarely wanted to speak ever, and have gone to great lengths not to. Preferring to be alone and silent than be forced to speak in the presence of others. I’ve had an extremely traumatic life, so I guess that’s where it stems from, but until watching this I never joined the dots! People have tried to force me to talk my whole life but all that’s done is made it worse. And I just can’t bear being talked AT which nearly all people I’ve ever met have done. So I figure if they don’t want to speak WITH me, then obviously they don’t care about what I have to say, so why speak at all, it’s just a waste of my precious energy. Hope that helps someone out there.

this was intense , it struck me deep, i can relate to most of it and its true that this can happen . at the end i had this huge lump in my throat and luckily i was alone to release it . Bravo.

I GOT SO EXCITED WHEN SHE TALKED AWWW

This short film is a great accomplishment. What a difficult problem to overcome due to the traumatic event that took place in the past. All the actors played their parts well throughout the film. I appreciate the ending when Kennedy finally developed the courage to speak. I give this film 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s.

I find this a wonderful example of the role of the factor (good/bad) luck in people's perceived "success" (such as getting into Yale; she was good enough but as luck had it, her mother had met with a terrible fate as a result of which she continued to keep very quiet without knowing why and it stopped her from getting into Yale). Btw, I too had something like that in my childhood background, an instruction that I had forgotten about but kept adhering to. I found out when I was 49.

I hate but fpr some reason still watch these. I wanna forget I have it lol. I love watching these but hate being reminded Once I had a great day at school. Not sure why I tried to remember. I thought I talked to my friends but I didn't, it really felt like I did. Then I remembered. I had a conversation with them in my head. Each time they asked each other something, I would reply, in my head.

Well written. Excellently portrayed. It touched my heart like it hasn't been for years.

Every film,drama n songs are EQUALLY GOOD

Where I work ,i meet a young boy ,I could see from his body language that he must have gone through some thing bad.as we sat during a break ,I asked him if he has siblings,he said no,I said is your mother alive ?he said no, he continues to tell me what a horrific child hood he had & some more trauma Was added when he was 14 & that he was unable to speak for a long time but therapy helped .he still has the scars all over him ,but ,he is still fighting beautifully 😢😢❤️❤️

This gave me chills. Absolutely touched my heart. Good for her. Very good for her.

Something this devastating and in so many peoples lives,and at the same time barely known to the general public,is tragic.This work hopefully helps change this.All these actors are caring and gifted and deserve high praise.

9:41 - This. is So powerful. And at the end - "Here" Me: Balling

beautiful movie but it is heart breaking how some of us get so traumatized and the trauma stays with us for so long.

Groundbreaking. Gratitude to everyone working on that project. Thank you

Extremely good. I'm happy to be a Christian. Jesus hears my words that I don't dare to speak. Only He can heal the emptiness of not beying able to see and speak to persons I miss in my life. And the suffering is deep and goes on since some years. And yes, I blame myself too... Jesus can heal us all. Final healing will come in eternity. Real great video! Shalom.

This short make impact in me i never hear about selective mutism ,the way this girl go step by step with the correct sensible people make the difference, thanks for share that,love from Puerto Rico ❤️❤️❤️

This is a great movie....Now I understand why I have such severe blocks when talking and writing...I wasn't allowed to talk when I was growing up. Thank you. 💕

Powerful, Sensitive, Beautiful

What a sweet film.

A beautiful amazing moving and inspirational movie. So beautifully crafted. Please make more!! What you do, impacts and inspires change, and demands to be looked at and heard, especially for the overlooked, silent, helpless and broken ones👌❤️❤️❤️🐾🐈 thank you I love your work

Wow. That was incredible.

Very well done. Well written and acted. Touching story. The breakthrough at the end when she spoke the word "here" was one of those times when you feel so proud and happy you want to cry. I've heard of some who have had selective mutism. Would be difficult to have it.

I love short films, and this is really amazing. Very entertaining keep it up 👍. I subbed to see more updates

What amazing short film I was crying near half of it it was beautifully

My mother told me not to speak to anyone when I started school. I was so frightened of my controlling mother that I did as I was told. Apparently my teacher had my mother in to say that I wouldn't speak and she thought I needed to see a psychologist. I don't remember what happened but I did begin to talk at school. When I had an interview at art college, quite late in life, one of the women terrified me and I had to talk about my art work and I couldn't. Needless to say I didn't get a place.

I don't know what happened with the protagonist here but I am so proud of her for overcoming her biggest fear or drawback. struggling to express what we feel and think is really hard and it is something I am dealing with I just cannot communicate my real thoughts and feelings, so I write poems and i even post them online but yeah I haven't found the audience to hear me yet but I won't give up......

A volunteer at my old workplace had selective mutism.* Once I dreamed she had spoken to me-a nice voice. I mentioned it to her the next day. She reacted strongly. A few days later she confessed to me: she had started speaking again, so far only with total strangers. Reading to blind people was an easier place to start; she'd signed up to do that at a library. (* I learned that term here, reading comments, after so many years of wondering.) Now, decades later, I see her around town and we chat some. We'll always have that dream bond.

I honestly think i have undiagnosed selective mutism but it could just be really bad social anxiety i think i have it because i cant talk at school and in a lot of other situations

El trabajo de la profesora que la guía para la entrevista es maravilloso 🌸

That was such a heartfelt movie. I was sexually molested when I was 10 years young, naive, overly trusting & innocent & for the longest time, I, too, was afraid to communicate with anyone to tell them what happened to me. I only shared it with my younger sister. I was afraid to say anything because I felt no one would believe me since I was so young. It took me over 15 years to say anything about it to my parents. I understand where Kennedy's fears came from. This was hard to watch until the end when she actually spoke 😊❤! That made me so happy & relieved for her to fight hard for her freedom.

Very beautiful and moving. Brilliant. Thank you

Sometimes my.head is so crowded with thoughts that I cannot say a word. There is simply too much to say and I don't know how or where to start. At first I used to flee, leave the room, just leave and go and sit somewhere quiet so that the words could recede. As I started coming to terms with all the trauma from my past, the flood of words started to become coherent. They organised themselves and I became able to talk. Thank you for this film. God bless you, Kennedy. You are very brave. You will get there - perhaps sooner than you think. You are already a step ahead of me - not that it's a competition! You've started writing in your journal. I still cannot get that right. Baby steps. Much love.

My heart ached for this girl. Childhood is a time for laughter & play, and when children suffer from emotional trauma and are sad, so sad - it's just WRONG & goes against the laws of nature!! When I taught school, every once in a while I'd have a "silent child" in class - It became quite prevalent in the 21st century. I never knew such a thing existed, before I experienced it for myself. At first, I didn't know what to make of it, as a substitute teacher. Then I taught one of them long term. I would try to make her laugh, & say things like: "And WHY are you yelling, young lady?" & she'd start to giggle. The kids found this most fascinating, because she was usually poker faced. Then slowly but surely she began to open up, and to my amazement, her mother wasn't pleased. She let me know that I was NOT to make her speak & to let her be silent. That's when I realized this child was expected to be silent, as there was something that family needed her to hide & not talk about. Just my gut feeling, but it made me very sad for that poor child!! It breaks my heart to know that children & helpless animals are tormented & hurt by monsters who disguise themselves as humans!! Takes all kinds to make a world, and life teaches us that there are kind & wicked people everywhere. Namaste🙏!!

Damn where can I listen to this beautiful score and great film

This was so excellent! Congratulations!

Great job everyone!

Beautiful and touching. Amen.

having selective mutisim is hard. but then again, after what i saw and heard and done in a certain time in my past ended up shutting me up.now i am here 13 years later still not talking.

I cannot tell you how loud I cheered for her when she spoke in the end! I also cried too omg… amazing masterpiece I love this so much! Keep at it!!

Great film and an example of how to visually tell a story! ❤🎬🎞️

Maya Angelo went through a period when she was a young girl were she didn’t speak for years.

just finished STORY GIVER - - - OUTSTANDING!!!!!

A reminder to be sensitive to others and encourage them to be all they can be

Wooow... I talk very easily... And maybe sometimes a little too much. For me the tsunami of words is my "protection" My wall. I was totally silent when I saw this movie... It touched my heart and soul. (and you won't get me quiet so quickly ;-)) The opposite, but so much recognition. I was in tears. Great actors 🙏❤

It takes much courage for us to use our voices! ❤️

Thank you for making this film available for those of us who never heard of S.M. I feel her struggles to be heard and when she answered- **Here** in role call I felt so proud of her. She's gaining her power back and that's a call for celebration. Bravo 🎉 **Update** I did some google search on S.M, the possible causes - inner reflections to the huge challenges I faced all my life with **communications** - my grandparents raised me without siblings. To them, children (me) were a burden. My only safe place was my room. The only ones I felt good talking to, were my beloved pups and stuffed animals. The root to my "poor communications" skill - SM, took a different turn in grade school. I dreaded every time my name was called when it was my turn to **read** out loud. My hands were always clammy and sweaty. I hated it because I used to always **stutter**. and some of the other kids would tease me for it. 💖💖Warm hugs to all of us struggling with S.M. 💖💖

I never spoke a word untill I was almost 2 years old. My twin brother would answer for me. The day he died, I began speaking.

everything takes courage and confidence

All it takes is someone who cares, sees the problem but the passion, to help you work around it until you are ready. Love these short films, they are very telling

I’m stimming through the second half of the film because this portrayal of the long term effects of trauma is so accurate. Last year I took three months to daily write out all of the memories. I did not look at anything I wrote. All was sealed into envelopes and put away until 21 days arts the last memories were written out. Then, on the day, I read all of the writing out. Took me all day. After this is was so severely traumatised it took me some weeks to recover. On the 1st January 2024 I felt reborn. I’m living a great life now I am finally free. It took 61 years of dally agony to discover, apply and achieve liberation from the past. It IS POSSIBLE. I’m living proof.

Such a beautiful film. I was hooked from the start. I really enjoyed this film. Kennedy saying 'here' was such a powerful moment. The cast and crew did such an amazing job on this film. Bravo to them