Deaf Man Hears: Remarkable Award-Winning Documentary Now Available to Libraries

June 2011

A deaf man takes a chance on a risky surgery in hopes of hearing for the first time in his life. The award-winning documentary film FROM SILENCE TO SOUND (WINNER - Best Inspirational Documentary, New York International Independent Film & Video Festival), from Brooklyn Girl Productions, teams up with Passion River at this year's American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference and Exhibit, which starts today and runs through Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The ALA Annual Conference and Exhibit is the world's largest event for the library community, bringing together more than 25,000 librarians, educators, authors, publishers, literacy experts, illustrators and the leading suppliers to the market. With over 900 exhibiting organizations, the exhibit hall features the latest in publishing, furnishings and technologies available to libraries.

FROM SILENCE TO SOUND is an extraordinary film that documents the quintessential life-changing moment of Justin Garrett, a man who has been profoundly deaf since birth, making history as the first recipient of a bilateral, or double, cochlear implant in Oklahoma on March 13, 2006. Prior to the surgery, Justin had less than two percent hearing in both ears. Today he has nearly 98 percent hearing, thanks to the miracles of modern medical technology delivered via his Nucleus(r) cochlear implants made by industry leader Cochlear(tm).

Both the DVD and public performance rights are available to libraries through Passion River. In addition to the documentary film, the DVD features behind-the-scenes interviews with the director, producer, and executive producer, as well as a Q&A session at the Los Angelespremiere. For equal accessibility, all content is subtitled in English.

Synopsis

Director Chase Matthews offers this moving documentary about Justin Garrett, a completely deaf young man who, in 2006, agreed to undergo radical cochlear implant surgery that could possibly make him hear for the first time. Matthews follows Justin as he prepares for, submits to and recovers from the high-stakes surgery. Success will reverse Justin's condition, but failure will irrevocably destine him to a lifetime of total silence.

Awards & Nominations:

* WINNER - Best Inspirational Documentary (New York International Independent Film & Video Festival)
* WINNER - Best North American Documentary (International Film Festival Egypt)
* WINNER - Best Documentary USA (Everglades International Film Festival)
* BEST DOCUMENTARY nominee (Trail Dance Film Festival)
* BEST DOCUMENTARY nominee (International Film Festival South Africa)

Press:

"Incredible film." - ABC / KTUL
"... A deeply moving film." - Kent Dixon / DVD Verdict
"... An intimate and powerful portrait of courage ..." - Adrian Belic / ACADEMY AWARD(r) NOMINEE
"... Tremendously heartwarming and uplifting." - Alan Berliner / EMMY(r) AWARD WINNER & 2007 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL JUROR
"... A miraculous movie ... a quintessential life-changing moment." - Mike Gallagher / THE MIKE GALLAGHER SHOW
"... Spellbinding ... the ultimate story of beating the odds ..." - Camryn Manheim / EMMY(r) AWARD WINNER & GOLDEN GLOBE(r) AWARD WINNER

More information is available at http://www.fromsilencetosound.com

ABOUT BROOKLYN GIRL PRODUCTIONS

Brooklyn Girl Productions is a knockout production company(tm). We produce films, commercials and multimedia with high production value, a sense of humor, and a smile. Our mission is to entertain and empower people through our various artistic endeavors, while creating a positive environment both on and off the set. To reduce the impact of our productions on the earth, we are committed to a green philosophy from start to finish on each and every project. We love what we do, why wouldn't we? For more information, visithttp://www.brooklyngirlproductions.com.

ABOUT PASSION RIVER