Logline

A deaf and blind boy is overcome by his passion for music. His imagination distorts his reality.

This story confronts themes of innocence, ignorance, unconditional love, and domestic violence.

Synopsis

This non dialogue short centers around a young boy who is both blind and deaf and has a passion for music. Each night before bed his parents host, what they call, ‘the concert hour’ for him in the living room. So for a few moments their child believes he is conducting his own orchestra and he guides himself through the vibrations that surround him. As the show goes on, we will realize not everything we see is what it seems, not even what we hear or feel.

Director's Statement

"Overture" is a response to the song "Voila" by Barbara Pravi. The song is in French, and despite not understanding the lyrics due to the language difference, the emotional impact was so profound that the only way I had to express it was through "Overture." This story is simply a means to delve into what I truly want to explore: innocence, ignorance, and unconditional love. Without dialogue, I hope that individuals can reach the emotion I felt when listening to the song, and unable to express it, they find themselves compelled to question why they resonate with that pain.

The short film draws inspiration from my life's experiences. To escape the tensions of my surroundings, I would cover and uncover my ears, distorting the sounds of my environment and creating melodies with the noise, thus seeking refuge from negative situations.

Overture is an experimental short film, and because of that, it's more challenging at times to work on it and trust the process. But I also believe it connects on a deeper level, and I've seen that in the crew. The story is just an excuse to delve into something much more delicate and profound, and the doors to interpretation are wide open. Overture is a little piece of each of our inner innocence, approached with delicacy and silence, but with a lot of love and passion. And that's what, despite the language differences in this crew, has brought us together and kept us on a steady path during production.

Reviews

Innocence & Ignorance

This story is not an isolated case, it is a reflection of humanity. We are all vulnerable to falling into ignorance. We can find ourselves manipulated by people, situations, or even by ourselves, leading to a distorted reality.

I made Noah a deaf and blind child to compel you not to judge him. His reality is distorted, and while this could be a cruel situation, we do not pass judgment.

I genuinely believe this is something that happens to people of all ages. We judge people without context. We don't know their reality, we don't know their circumstances, their ignorance, or their knowledge. Yet we judge.

Unconditional Love

A mother's love for her child. The unconditional need to protect them.

Her child is her life's purpose. Our Mother keeps Noah in a bubble to shield him from suffering. She understands that Noah’s ignorance is what brings him happiness, and that is everything to her. She is hurting, but she is capable of smiling through tears and dancing with Noah. Even for a moment, as they dance, everything fades away, and she manages to enter in Noah’s reality to rest, to remember the purpose of her life, to watch Noah go to sleep with a smile.

These situations of domestic violence are a reality. Many women experience them and endure pain for their children, sacrificing their happiness for their children's sake. Years later, when the children discover the truth, they blame themselves because once again, they judge without considering the limitations they had in that moment.

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Isabella Leonard is a third-year Film and Media major and Writing minor graduating from UC Santa Barbara in the Spring of 2024. She is an aspiring project manager, and film and television producer. Overture is her third producing role on an independent short film. She also has experience as a Digital Production Manager and Journalistic Reporter. She is committed to managing Overture's festival run and believes this story and talented crew will go far.

Isabella Leonard - Producer

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Brian Alejandro Sol -
Director of Photography

Brian Sol is a fourth-year Film and Media Students Major and a filmmaker/cinematographer with 8+ years of experience in the editing room.

Iris Ortega - Writer / Director

Iris is a third year Film and Media Studies Major from Spain working as a writer, director and 3D Artist. She has won an award for her experimental film "En Blanco" and "El duende." by Antonio Gades' Foundation. She is highly proficient in Unreal Engine 5 and works doing Tour State Visuals. She wrote this script a year ago and she brought it to the United States to make it happen.