This documentary tells the story of deaf children who want an education, but it also has another layer. On one hand, it shows how kids with hearing problems are discriminated against; on the other hand, it demonstrates that a school committed to fighting prejudice can succeed.
Aniqa is a mother who knows what will happen if her daughter Narjis does not go to school. The girl will fall into silence and never come out of it she will be condemned to menial jobs, mental illness and unbearable solitude in adulthood. Silence is part of language for those who can hear, Aniqa says; but for those who cannot hear, silence is a wall.
She has seen this discrimination herself as well as through her research. Other parents do not even give their deaf child a name they just call them “the Deaf One.” They think of deaf kids as non-creative thinkers. Aniqa finds out that laughing at parents who think about educating their deaf children is common practice among them. Nevertheless she decides to learn sign language and teach it to Narjis because she does not want to kill her dreams. Flying Hands draws on her extensive diary entries chronicling life as Narjis’ mother and the establishment of a deaf school by herself.
Narjis is going to school alright but there are no schools in Baltistan where they live. She sends her after visiting one school for the deaf which amazes her completely: students are thriving with signing skills, confident and happy communicating through their flying hands that inspire this doc’s title.
Approximately 400 deaf children live in her region alone, she discovers. There’s market potential and she won’t miss out with the help of Afzal, her husband they start the school named after Narjis and grow their student body. Scenes showing Aniqa trying hard to convince parents about educating their deaf children prove couple’s persistence beyond doubt; spending fortunes on hearing children’s education while not seeing the need to invest in those with no future because they’re deaf. They ignore the math it’s actually more expensive to keep their deaf kids at home than sending them to school–and have to be told that education leads to employment.
A subplot featuring a sports meet attended by the school’s girls outside Lahore showcases the joy with which they embrace the opportunity of visiting a loud bustling city, while their carers bemoan the fact that women playing sport face systemic sexism in Pakistan. Men get to use the competition’s facilities every day, but women only once a year. A touching scene shows teachers struggling to explain outdated attitudes of officials towards female athletes seeking excellence.
However, what makes Flying Hands great is students’ hunger for knowledge and how they light up when introduced to new complex ideas. Sign language is really wonderful it can communicate intricate scientific concepts as well as deep feelings among curious children.
Flying Hands has a great visual texture to match its inspiring content. Most of it is set in remote Pakistan and filled with shots of towering mountains or endless dunes, which stand in stark contrast with the busy streets of Lahore crowded with people and all sorts of colorful vehicles.
Put Flying Hands among the best South Asian films think “Period: End of Sentence” or Nisha Pahuja’s Oscar-nominated “The World Before Her” that illuminate adult figures who are determined to battle for equal rights and better lives for women and children.
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