Louder Is Not Always Clearer

Jonny is Deaf—his superpower is lip reading. But that doesn’t mean everything makes sense. Tired of misunderstandings, he leaves a dinner party and takes us on an audio-visual, time-travelling adventure.

‘Louder Is Not Always Clearer’ tells Jonny’s story of disconnection, difference, and desperation to belong. It is an honest portrayal of a man perceived to be full of confidence and who is outwardly social, but inwardly vulnerable and at times isolated. For hearing viewers, it is an illuminating and emotional experience. For deaf viewers, the film is a familiar tale of misunderstanding and isolation. For all viewers, it is a humorous and at times moving story of one man’s attempt to cope, to fit in, and be accepted.

This short is adapted from the critically acclaimed theatre production of the same name. Following a successful festival tour travelling from Sydney to Seattle, it picked up multiple awards including Best Short Film & Best Actor at Deaffest 2022 and a BAFTA Cymru Award nomination for Best Short Film 2022.