Sonic Cinema – T*taube Perspektiven jenseits des Hörens

What It’s About

The film *The Tuba Thieves* (USA 2023) by the d/Deaf artist Alison O’Daniel takes us on an associative, essayistic journey to places in California where sound takes on a physical presence all its own: We encounter roaring airplanes, school orchestras searching for their stolen tubas, loud punk concerts at the Deaf Club in San Francisco, and the sign language poetry of Russell Harvard and Christine Sun Kim.

Why you should check it out

Forget linear storytelling, because this film follows the pure perception of sounds and silence. Developed over a period of ten years, the production draws inspiration from sound artworks by visionaries such as John Cage, Prince,Christine Sun Kim, Ethan Frederick Green and Steve Roden. The Tuba Thieves invites you to experience the world through the ears and eyes of a community that understands sound beyond the purely acoustic. It is an invitation to recalibrate your own senses and discover how much space lies between the notes.

Pssst!

Following the screening, we will deepen these impressions in a post-screening discussion with Fabian Rombach (University Cologne). The conversation will be moderated by Katja Lell (KHM). The post-screening discussion will be interpreted into German Sign Language.

The filmscreening is a cooperation with KHM – Academy of Media Arts Cologne.

Accessibility Information

The original version of the film is in spoken English and Spanish, and in American Sign Language. The film will be shown with open subtitles in English and German, as well as English audio description.

Duration: approx. 90 minutes + post-screening discussion approx. 30 minutes

The post screening discussion will be conducted in German Sign Language (DGS) and spoken German. The discussion will be accompanied by a German-to-DGS interpreter.

People with hearing aids can use the assistive listening system, which works via induction.

The venue is accessible without barriers; however, the entrance door is heavy to open. A wheelchair-accessible toilet is available via elevator.

We can reserve wheelchair-accessible spaces or other easily accessible seating for you.

For audio description and induction-based listening support, you may bring your own headphones. The connection is via a standard 3.5 mm jack plug.

Public parking spaces for people with disabilities are located at: Filzengraben 1, 10, 11, 12, and 13.

Different access needs can be indicated when purchasing tickets, allowing us to prepare accordingly.

Guide dogs and assistance dogs are very welcome. Please let us know if you will be bringing a dog to the screening.

You are welcome to contact us if you would like to be picked up from the nearest bus or train stop and accompanied to the venue.

For any questions or requests regarding accessibility, please contact Iris (iris.haist@sommerblut.de).

Notes

In consultation with filmmaker Alison O’Daniel, balloons will be provided on site, allowing visitors to feel sound vibrations through touch.

There are some moments in the film with very loud sound levels; however, these build gradually and do not occur suddenly.