Touch the Sound

The documentary follows the percussionist Evelyn Glennie, who is nearly deaf. Through her work the film looks into the connections between sound, rhythm, time and the body. The account does not present her as an example of an obstacle overcome; it watches how a musician does her work. The idea that hearing does not happen in the ears alone stands at the centre of the film. Fred Frith also appears, and music is used inside the account as a way of thinking. The documentary follows a question rather than telling a life story. The ninety nine minutes are used to keep that question going without hurry. Thomas Riedelsheimer’s German documentary was completed in 2004.