Nobody hears the scream
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Nobody hears the scream |
| Original title | Cries from the Heart |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1994 |
| length | 90 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Michael Switzer |
| script | Robert Inman |
| production |
Linda L. Kent Joel S. Rice |
| music | James McVay |
| camera | Robert Draper |
| cut | Robert Florio |
| occupation | |
| |
Nobody Hears the Scream (or Touch of Truth in the original ) is a true story-based American drama from 1994 that tells the story of an autistic child who learns to communicate with his parents through assisted communication .
The film premiered in the United States on October 16, 1994. Filming took place in Pasadena and Los Angeles .
action
Michael, now seven years old, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.
His mother Karen gets along with the growing youth, especially in the course of his seizures, getting worse and worse. Michael's father Roger, who is separated from Karen, rarely visits his son.
When Michael leaves his mother's house alone during a phone call from his separated parents to go to the playground and barely escapes a car accident, Roger convinces his wife Karen that it is best for Michael to attend a school specializing in autistic diseases To attend full day care. This school is a few hours' drive away, so the mother's and her son's meetings are reduced to one or two visits a week. Especially in the beginning, the school management even wants a six-week period without any visits from the parents, so that Michael can concentrate fully on his new surroundings and let go of his familiar home environment, which triggers strong feelings of jealousy towards Terry in Karen .
Although Karen does not adhere to this six-week deadline, the teacher Terry Walser gradually succeeds in getting to Michael and promoting his independence. First, she tries to teach him how to recognize objects in photos so that he can express his wishes by pointing to images. At the same time, she teaches him to lace his shoes, which his mother has not yet managed. She also gains access to the boy by responding to his preference for cooking and, among other things, teaching him how to open cans. Just as Michael learns to understand by means of supported communication from Terry with the help of a notebook and can thus communicate his thoughts and feelings for the first time, Michael suddenly withdraws again and his seizures increase again.
Terry manages to get her student Michael to use the notebook to inform her that Michael is being sexually abused by his supervisor Jeff Mace .
Michael's parents are horrified and want to bring him back from school. Michael, however, does not want to leave school despite the incidents. The parents tolerate this decision of their son. At the same time, they are seeking a lawsuit against the supervisor Jeff Mace.
After Detective Bradley and District Attorney Marla Tolbert are convinced of Michael's statements, a lawsuit opens. In the course of these proceedings, Michael is called as a witness . He repeats his allegations against Jeff Mace in court. However, when he is cross- examined by Jeff's defense attorney Brandon Richards , he cannot withstand the nervous pressure. Judge Bonner can be induced to cross-examine in the absence of the accused and in camera in a small separate room with video transmission in the courtroom so that Michael's testimony can be recognized in court. The jury is convinced of the truthfulness of Michael's statement and finds Jeff guilty.
criticism
"Pierce's credible performance must have been a challenge for director Michael Switzer, who subtly pulls in the reins."
"Pierce's credible performance must have been a challenge for director Michael Switzer, who imperceptibly controls the reins."
“While Switzer and writer Robert Inman manage to give the boy life, they are not so successful with Duke and Gilbert. Duke's all-knowing, idealistic, near-patronizing demeanor wears on viewers' patience, and Gilbert, particularly before she begins to soften her edges, is a nervous, nagging presence. "
“While Switzer and screenwriter Robert Inman breathed life into the boy, they weren't as successful with Duke and Gilbert. Duke's omniscient, idealistic, almost patronizing demeanor tears at the patience of the audience and Gilbert, especially before it smooths its edges, has a nervous, nagging presence. "
“The TV drama by Michael Switzer convinces with its unobtrusive actors and skillful arcs of tension. - Effectively staged court drama. "
"Sensitive and masterfully played drama based on a true story."
Individual evidence
- ↑ Start dates according to the Internet Movie Database
- ↑ a b c "Cries from the Heart" , Variety , Ray Loynd, October 14, 1994
- ^ Film review , Cinema
- ↑ digitalfernsehen.de , Annette Vogt, January 9, 2009
Web links
- Cries from the Heart in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Nobody hears the scream in the online movie database