About this Short Film
DAWN of the DEAF (Davo Hardy, Australia, 2015) reimagines a media-saturated zombie uprising as satirical social commentary, blending mock-news framing and domestic scenes to probe how society debates who belongs. The film skewers political posturing and cultural fear-mongering with a wry, conversational tone, using absurd dialogue and newsroom snippets to expose prejudice, protest and the messy reality of living alongside people labelled as other. Audiences who appreciate black comedy, genre subversion and films that interrogate inclusion will find sharp humour and ideas to discuss. With a title that gestures toward questions of deafness and communication, it invites festival viewers to reflect on representation, access and the politics of voice within disability and diversity conversations.
Film Details
Film Transcript
They call their movement Occupy Life. The long, raging war between the living and the undead continues this week with more political upheaval and protest marches as tensions flare up once more.
"Zombies do not assimilate. They're not interested in our way of life because they're dead. They should all go back where they belong."
"Do you mean in the cemetery?"
"Yes, I mean the cemetery."
"Why do they want to leave anyway? People are just dying to get in there."
"I'm not a necrophiliac. I just think this segment of pop culture needs to be buried once and for all."
"Zombies are just rotten. Zombies use cunning methods in converting and recruiting young minds. Firstly, there's infection, like what you see in a new wave of TV shows and movies, and then there's radiation. But lately they've been using a new method: university."
Buffy: "How are things going on the day of your engagement party?"
"Oh, fine. I just finished serving up the dumplings and the main course should be soon. And... oh yes, there's a horde of zombies outside waiting to kill us."
"They're coming for you, Bobby."
"Seriously, Buffy? Why? Knowing him, what's the attraction? He's got brains... or the mayor with muscle?"
"You reckon a zombie—he ate our brains, perhaps."
"Don't worry, Sean, you'll be safe."
"Oh good. So what are we going to do?"
"I recommend trying to get some garlic."
"Garlic? You're thinking vampires, Sean."
"Oh, we could try taking it all."
"It's making me hungry."
"Let me out of here. I think his stomach—"
"Well, forget it. Since the zombies are the reason for the takeover, it's too dangerous to go out and get supplies."
"Oh membranes and burns, this is the worst engagement party ever. Lunch is ruined. My fiancée is being eaten alive."
And so the apartheid was broken. These zombie girls who had burned their brains—zombie girls everywhere—were finally given the vote, and zombies could marry the living without fear of discrimination. Zombies are not dead; they are simply the living in head for, like you and I. They have hopes and dreams and heart and brain.
Filmmaker
Davo Hardy is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Davo Hardy.
What A Laugh
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