DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

I am very much aware of the problem hearing impaired people might have in watching the film. From my point of view I can say I never refused to make a subtitled version, but I would not like all the prints to be subtitled. The main reason for that isthat I never intended to make a special interest film for the hearing-impaired audience, but I wanted to give the generality of people a sensual experience. In saying that, I do not want to exclude the hearing impaired from seeing the film in the cinema, but on the other hand I find it strange for the others to be distracted by subtitles in their own language. As a cameraman I also put a lot of effort in each single frame, so from my aesthetic point of view subtitles are always difficult. So for me the problem cannot easily be solved in a satisfying way. There are also, of course, important issues to do with cost, distribution and marketing and exhibition which would have to be dealt with by distributors and cinemas.

I am concerned and sorry if the hearing-impaired community feels in any way uneasy about the film and I take that very seriously. But I do hope that my arguments at least are understood, even if they are not agreed to and I am very open to any solution that could help solve the problem.

Thomas Riedelsheimer

PRODUCER'S STATEMENT

The producers of Touch the Sound very much regret any distress caused by the fact that the English version of the film for cinema is not subtitled in English. Subtitling is always a problem, especially in the case of a film such as this. Thomas Riedelsheimer is exploring sound and, as director and DoP, his medium is the image. Any superimposition of text is to be regretted. There are also issues for the producers around costs and the requirements of sales agents, distributors and exhibitors. For a non-fiction film of this kind extra costs cannot be contemplated. There will of course be English and other subtitles on the DVDs, when they are released. We will endeavour to alert distributors and exhibitors to the desirability of transcription of the film in programmes. Meanwhile a transcription is available to download at our website www.touch-the-sound.com

Leslie Hills for the Producers, Filmquadrat GbR and Skyline Ltd

US-DISTRIBUTOR´S STATEMENT

"Touch the Sound" is being exhibited theatrically without subtitles, in its original English language version.   While there are about 250 screens in U.S. theaters that have the capability of screening rear-projected closed captioned versions of films, none of those screens show "art" films, and so authorizing such a version would not be helpful. We are, instead, working with theaters in each city in which "Touch the Sound" plays to set up at least one special screening at which the film will be interpreted by a sign language interpreter so that it is as accessible as possible to all audiences who wish to see it.   Such a screening will happen in Chicago at the Music Box.

Ken Eisen, Shadow Distribution

EG Images, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Percussion, photograph, instruments, jewellery, Gems, Bespoke, Opal, Citrine Saphire, Ruby, Topaz, Beryl,composer, speaker, education,evelyn glennie, Glennie, Evelyn, music, musician,percussion, percussionist, innovator, composer, EG Images, EG Live, EG Jewellery, jewelery, silver, precious metal, boutique crafts, technology, performers,marimba, drums, drummer, marimbist, YouTube, film clips, fred frith, Trilok Gurtu,vibraphone, multi-percussionist, inspiring, inspirational, Veni Veni, groundbreaking,Cambridgeshire, Scottish, Scottish women,Radical thinking, classical music, reform, rethinking, stale,international, Music business professionals, professional, conductors, orchestras, orchestral, photography, photographer, James Wilson, Carla Leete, Brenda-Gillian, Hearing essay, disability essay, Touch the Sound, Shadow behind the Iron Sun, The BBC Proms, 1965, July, nineteen, nineteenth, 19th, Evelyn Elizabeth Anne,Honorary doctor, honorary doctorate, The Red Book, This is Your Life, Royalty