Voiceless

Stammering hasn’t received an awful lot of serious attention from filmmakers – apart from when it is happening to monarchs. Voiceless is a much more grounded and relatable short film about a sufferer who experiences discrimination and irritation from others thanks to his condition, and carries an important message about community and support.

Joe (Matt Hansen) is an aspiring performer who suffers from a serious stammer. Friends Catie (Martina Zucconelli) and Eloise (Cari Griffiths) encourage him to face his condition head on and provide him with a trusty Walkman to practice his public speaking, but he still faces discrimination from the likes of fellow performer Ben (Laurence Hezili Perry). Joe suffers a crisis of confidence when one of Catie and Eloise’s ideas goes wrong, but their own personal story helps him find his own strength when he decides to stand up on his own.

Voiceless is a really powerful, moving short film about differences that are (quite literally in Joe’s case) difficult to communicate. Joe’s struggles with his stammer are not always met with kindness, even when he takes precautions through the form of cards that explain his condition. His encounter with Ben is a powerful reminder that people are so often caught up in their own lives that they refuse to take account of what those around them are experiencing. The character of Ben is presented as a heartless antagonist at first, but the film reveals his thoughtlessness isn’t exactly as it seems. The film argues that awareness, and a little more consideration go a long way, and that most people will act supportive when they understand differences.

Matt Hansen excels as Joe, the anxiety-ridden protagonist whose confidence is at an all-time low. His dreams of performing in front of a crowd take a serious knock after his encounter with Ben, and Hansen’s exasperation suggests this is not a new experience for the character. He finds a solace in friends Catie and Eloise, a couple who attend his classes who have their own experience with explaining differences to people. Catie’s coming-out story helps her relate to Joe, and provides powerful motivation for him to put his true self out into the world. The dynamic between Matt Hansen and Martina Zucconelli is a beautiful portrayal of friendship and support – both triumphantly empathetic.

Director Thomas Schubert brings us closely into Joe’s world and captures his experience of living with a stammer brilliantly. Viewers experience the same anxiety as Joe does thanks to the use of overwhelming lighting and intense sound design that adds intense pressure onto scenes where his inability to verbalise puts him in difficult positions. We are closed in tight to his face whilst his jaw quivers, internally cheering him on as he tries to spit out the words we already know from his recorder. A lot of films are described as moving, but Voiceless truly takes hold of its audiences’ emotions and directs them to places where its protagonist lives.

Voiceless has a voice, and uses it to preach tolerance and respect for those different to us. A great leading performance, impressive production and a simple, moving script (written by lead Matt Hansen) mean this message is delivered loud and clear.