Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements

Deafness has been a major part of filmmaker Irene Taylor Brodsky's family. Both her parents are deaf, and the gene was also passed down to her first-born son. Her life has been bookended by loved ones living with hearing loss, though the invention of cochlear implants has allowed them to gain back some of the sounds of the world around them. While her parents underwent the implant procedure late in life, her son received implants at a young age, reigniting his early fascination with music. He becomes determined to learn how to play Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," which prompts Brodsky to examine deafness through youth, aging and art. Weaving together beautiful animation with a moving score, Brodsky brings forth deeply emotional and personal portraits that showcase the transformative powers of sound and silence.