Beyond Words (Cleveland District State High School, Australia, 2023) is a short film that explores themes of dyslexia, cognitive processing disability, bullying and the school experience. Rather than offering answers, it asks viewers to rethink assumptions about reading, achievement and ability. With moments of laughter and determination, the film highlights how stigma, stereotypes and prejudice shape teenagers' viewpoints and group dynamics, and it celebrates acts of inclusion and motivation. Screened as part of the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, Beyond Words sits comfortably among works that showcase the talents, experiences and achievements of people with disability, inviting audiences to see ability from a fresh perspective.
There's the wonderful love of a beautiful maid, And the love of a staunch, true man, And the love of a baby that's unafraid, All have existed since time began, But the most wonderful love, The love of all love. Sorry Tilly, Faye, please pay attention. Any other volunteers? No? No? Time for the wheel. Faye, please begin. T... Um... Sorry. Um... Um... Faye? Faye, are you okay? What? Can't you read it? What? Can't you read it? Why me? It's so easy for everyone else. I don't know what's wrong with me. Why is it so difficult? I don't know. Faye, get up! You're going to be late. Faye, you need to go to school. This is getting ridiculous. I can't. Everyone will make fun of me. Why? What? I can't read. I'm stupid. I messed up in front of the whole class. I can't go back. Okay. Um... Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Faye? Okay. Faye, you know you're going to have to go back to school eventually. Yeah. You can't give up just like that. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Hello. Hello. Can I come to your class this weekend? Alright guys. Come in. Alright, we're going to start where we left off. Uh, teach me... Teach me to love. Go teach thyself more wit. I chief professor am I of it. The god of love, if such a thing there be, may learn to love from me. Love yous. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye.
Filmmaker
Cleveland District State High School is the filmmaker behind this entry.
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7 comments
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Tanja Longland14/11/2023
Well done and congratulations for bringing to light the many challenges coping with dyslexia.
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Peter Crane14/11/2023
What a superb piece of work from our student film-makers Congratulations to the entire production team and to the school staff on the win.
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Jose Revill9/09/2023
Very impressed with this film. Relatable to teenagers and simple clear message. Well done
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Kerri Williams7/09/2023
You have hit the spot Congrats to all involved Just sensational
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Louise Miller6/09/2023
Very well done congratulations on portraying this subject so well
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Helen Mill6/09/2023
Great job illustrating the difficulty of coping with dyslexia
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Stephen Roberts31/08/2023
Brilliant effort from all involved in this production and a great topic to highlight also.
Well done and congratulations for bringing to light the many challenges coping with dyslexia.
What a superb piece of work from our student film-makers Congratulations to the entire production team and to the school staff on the win.
Very impressed with this film. Relatable to teenagers and simple clear message. Well done
You have hit the spot Congrats to all involved Just sensational
Very well done congratulations on portraying this subject so well
Great job illustrating the difficulty of coping with dyslexia
Brilliant effort from all involved in this production and a great topic to highlight also.