FINDING JUNE

Through the eyes of a deaf woman just diagnosed with breast cancer, we explore communication's role in truly understanding one another. Inspired by the stories of several amazing Deaf women in Missouri, this narrative short fiction film follows a young woman named June. She has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, is beginning a process of a surgery, and attending a support group. Her care, and her support meetings, are facilitated by an interpreter. What this creates is a unique communication dynamic, and is the platform from which we will explore the concept of communication itself. While June's circumstances seem a natural place for language barrier and cultural misunderstanding, the story does not stop there. Through her relationship with her brother, with a friend, what she learns about other members in the group, and ultimately what she learns about herself, we come to realize that understanding one another is less about shared literal language, and more about shared experience and empathy.

Written and Directed by Anna Schumacher
Cinematography by Ruan du Plessis