Hear Me - A Short Film Drama

When a defense mechanism that kept you alive, becomes a prison.

My father had selective mutism for the first four years of his life. He lived on a farm with his parents & siblings, who just kept him occupied with chores. They weren’t too concerned about his SM because his physical & cognitive abilities were in excellent order. One evening during dinner, he asked for the potatoes. Everyone was in shock. My Grandma asked if he could speak, he replied ‘yes’. And then she asked why he hadn’t spoken for so long, his response ‘I didn’t have anything to say.’ My father was accepted to almost every Ivy League, full academic scholarships. He chose Oberlin, an excellent non IvyLeaque liberal arts college. He identified with their philosophy. He continued to receive two PhD’s in Economics & Philosophy. Became a professor. His later years were spent drinking & barely speaking. He was a good man but rarely spoke. In a way, his SM continued throughout his life but in bouts. I’m guessing this world was just too depressing for him, he just didn’t have much to say. I miss you Dad, wish we could have had more chats but I love that you were my Dad.

I was raised in a very loud, abusive home with a narcissistic father. I never developed selective mutism. Instead, I developed an aversion to eye contact. My father would fly into a rage for literally no reason at all and shout at me. He demanded I look in his eyes, from my earliest memories so I'm not sure exactly when it started. All I know is that it affected me well into adulthood and took decades of practice before I was comfortable with most eye contact. I'm nearly 55 now. So, while our defense mechanisms may be different, I understand. I get it.

Trauma leaves us speechless until we’re ready to face it with our words.

To be so traumatized that it literally takes your voice away is utterly heartbreaking. But one day your voice will break through the pain, the hurt, the loss, the grief. Because it is YOUR voice and no one else's. Only you can decide when you are ready.

Wow, when I heard her say "here" I couldn't help it, I got choked up. What it took for her to say that one simple word--I could feel the fear but also the courage and then the triumph all in that brief scene. This was such a beautiful film.

I developed selective mutism in the 7th grade. My home life was filled with violence and unpredictable behaviors. It started as a stutter because I just couldn't function normally anymore. I was then mocked and subjected to my dad's rage because of it. I was a living, breathing example of what an awful human he was. Eventually, I stopped speaking altogether. And I had loved to talk before! My mother hired a speech therapist and would have him come when my father wasn't home. He was so patient and had such a beautiful energy that I began to have hope again. He brought me out of that darkness and allowed me to find my voice again. I still use the methods he taught me when I feel tempted to succumb to the silence again. God bless all those who suffer and all those who help.

Lost my father this week. Neither of us were big talkers . “I miss your silence, because I knew you could hear me” Hit me so hard

I taught a boy with selective mutism. I never knew his reason but my instinct told me he had become unable to speak because he couldn’t risk saying anything wrong. He came in to my special needs class, he left the college I taught in with a degree. He was there 7 years. I still feel proud that he left my class talking. Not a lot, but talking and confident in his abilities to succeed. His ultimate achievement was one of the most moving moments of my teaching career. I will never forget him.

Beautiful film. This resonates deeply with me. I came from a large family with extreme religious trauma and neglect. The demand for obedience lead me to go mute. School was traumatic. I used to tell myself that I just needed to say one word, just say hi to one person, and not being able to and coming home bawling because I couldn't and never knew why. It lead to a life of trauma, abusive relationships and alcohol addiction. I tend to ruminate in my mind words or phrases but its usually jumbled and doesnt make sense. I usually delete things i write or post. I already wrote and deleted this whole thing like 5 times i dont know why 😭

The ending gave me incredibly big shivers. It is almost the exact same setting and word i used when i started talking

This deserves so much more attention! I've lived with selective mutism my whole life, The story really shows what its like to have it even though not everyone has the same situation as the main character, I was crying from how real this is. My SM has got a lot better in high school today I had a sub teacher and there was another person with the same name as me the person the teacher asked to help her with the names doesn't know me so she asked and I manged to talk, she also said i wasn't here and the one that wasn't there was and i manged to correct her, I would usually stay quite and annoy myself with that later, I'm so proud i manged to do that. I'm sorry for saying that here but i have no one to tell that story to.

I’ve had selective mutism for as long as I can remember. And, while my situation isn’t exactly the same as the character’s in the movie, it’s still nice the see some representation/awareness spread regarding selective mutism. Really great film.

The very young actor who plays Kennedy as a child moved me the most. I saw my younger self in her expressions and movements, and her presence actually made this story come to life for me. I imagine my abuser seeing this little girl, and doing the things he did, through his eyes, and I am confounded. As a child of course you believe you are the cause of your abuse. The tea party scene made me sob; I would have so many nightmares that my mother would either abandon my family or pass away. Someone made a comment about their Mom enrolling them in speech therapy when their angry father would be out of the home and I thought about a mother’s sadness and strength when they end up married to an abuser with small children, dependent, isolated, traumatized and exhausted. That my mother would die and I’d be left with my father was my greatest fear. I am so impressed by this short film and though it would be tough to think of the right person to share it with, I am going to save it so that I can come back to it when I need to consider that brave little girl that did everything she could to get through a difficult childhood. To grow up, use my voice powerfully, have faith, and help change the law around SA&DV has been one of my greatest achievements❤. I love that this was a story of empowerment — a true triumph of the human spirit.

Thanks so much for this film - it has really helped me. I suffered selective mutism for 6 months after my brother died. My father displayed cruel, physically and sexually abusive tendencies towards my sisters and brothers. He was merciless. Fortunately no one died young because of it - but all of my family have physical and mental issues because of it - I myself had psychosis and didn’t speak for 3 years from 2018 - 2021. I started Inner yoga with an amazing kind, compassionate and embodied yoga teacher - Jenny Beeken- who also taught me ancient yogic texts - she saved my life. I am now doing a MSc in mindfulness and have an active yoga career - I am a shiatsu therapist and teach languages. I have now found a trauma therapist who has given me an opportunity to really see what happened to my family. It’s tough but I feel like a lioness- who protects the vulnerable and voiceless. I have started a young women’s group- mentoring talented inspiring young people. I am grateful for all who have helped me. I am grateful for this movie🙏🧘‍♀️🐝

Made me cry. My mother took her life. I wasn’t a child but i wasn’t ready for that. I will tell my grandchildren not to judge others because we do not know their possible pain. Excellent short film!

From "The King's Speech," a must see, "No one is born with a speech impediment." (Physiological reasons do exist though.) I had 4 years of speech therapy in grade school. I was too young to be able to understand and explain that the reason it was taking me so long; my trauma was still living in the same house with us and fostering another to perpetuate abuse. In the movie after his father dies and his brother abdicated, he is able to overcome with much determination finally as an adult.

Wow, I actually want to cry. I’m so proud of her! “Here” yes you are! So many people are silent, I remember when I use to be. I pray many more find their voice! This short film deserves way more attention!!!

This was a remarkable film that left me shedding some tears. I could see the pain Kennedy was going through, but the horrific experience that she had to endure at such a young age was so traumatic that it kept her from speaking and expressing herself, which was literally heart breaking. It was even more sad when she could have had the chance to go to all of these prestigious colleges, but because of her not being able to speak it obviously interfered with her chances. She was capable of so much, but she was in so much pain and the most important thing she wanted to be able to do was to express how much she missed and loved her mom. The woman that worked with her after theater class was so kind, sweet, and patient and I truly believe that she helped Kennedy break through that wall she had built up around her. It was magic to my ears when she just said "here" at the end when the teacher was taking attendance. Yes, it was only one word, but then that leads to a few more words and then into sentences and so forth. This was a captivating, well written story that really tugged at my heartstrings. I absolutely loved it, and I just wanted to say you did a tremendous job. I'd love to see more of your work in the future and thank you for sharing/uploading this incredible story.

I’ve heard of mutism in autistic people and deaf people, but never as a trauma response. This film had me crying so much. Especially the end. This film is beautiful. I pray God heals everyone dealing with trauma, in Jesus name. I hope everyone who struggles to speak is given their voice back.