Deaf Sisterhood
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Snapshot: Deaf Sisterhood
A documentary from Redbird Media
Directed and Edited by Bim Ajadi
Second Camera Ted Evans
Produced By Cathy Heffernan and Karen Gilchrist
Real Deaf Lives. Made by Deaf for the Deaf in British Sign Language, with voice and subtitles
Fun-loving teaching assistant Aran, aged 27, is at a crossroads with her religious faith. Her Christian beliefs have faded in recent years. She has always been interested in Islam, especially since starting her job in a school where many students come from Muslim families. Now she is going out with a Muslim man and is considering a conversion. But her atheist mother is worried and her Christian friends want her to re-consider.
Follow Aran as she goes on a journey of religious discovery and find out why she is attracted to Islam – is it because of her Muslim partner, the culture and traditions or the faith itself?
Producer Cathy Heffernan works as a sub-editor at The Guardian, and has also worked on the Irish series Hands On. When other European countries started to discuss a ban on the face veil, Cathy wanted to know how Deaf Muslims felt – especially as facial expression is so important to communication. At a party to celebrate Eid, she met Aran, who explained her own growing interest in the religion. And the production team agreed that it would be interesting to explore Islam through her eyes.
Director Bim Ajadi comes originally from a Muslim family, and had a strong interest in knowing more about the religion. Bim has worked in television for many years, starting out as an editor. He worked on the series Vee TV, and has made a half hour documentary for Channel 4 as part of the New Shoots series. He has worked regularly with Redbird Media (formerly Resource Base) on programmes for both hearing and Deaf audiences.
Camera operator Ted Evans has many Muslim friends and a keen interest in learning more about their faith. Ted is a freelance film-maker, and has been working recently with the BBC series See Hear. He has also just completed the BSLBT Zoom Focus film The End, which received a special award at DeafFest.
Co-producer Karen Gilchrist is a director of Redbird Media, the company she set up with Hilary Durman 20 years ago. She has worked with Bim and Ted on a number of programmes and projects. This is the first programme that Redbird Media has made for BSLBT. Redbird Media has won three BAFTAs for childrens drama, and several RTS awards for its factual programmes.
USEFUL CONTACTS RELATED TO THIS PROGRAMME
Muslim Deaf UK
http://www.muslimdeaf.org/
Al-Isharah
http://www.deafmuslim.com/
Makkah Masjid
http://www.makkahmasjid.co.uk/
Utrujj Islamic education institute
http://www.utrujj.org/
Riverside Church
http://www.riverside-church.org.uk/groups/deaf-ministry/
Faith Matters
http://faith-matters.org/
