From 1941 to 1950, the National Film Unit produced the Weekly Review and from 1952 to 1971, the Pictorial Parade. Government owned, the Unit’s work included visits to schools to show the country positive stories about the future of New Zealand and the good work that was being done. This included visits to Sumner and St Dominic’s School for Deaf Children.
A Deaf Child in the Family, 1969
Source: New Zealand Deaf News, 1969, Vol. 6, No. 2.
A 40 minute long documentary about deaf children and their special education needs. Encourages families to support their deaf child but not to spoil them. Footage includes scenes at the three deaf schools in New Zealand and teacher trainees learning special needs at Christchurch Teachers College. Also features deaf people doing a variety of jobs in later life.
A Deaf Child in the Family (1969) was produced by the National Film Unit for a voluntary organisation – the New Zealand Teaching Films to Help Deaf Children Society – a group specially formed to fund the film which cost $5000.
Film screenings of “A Deaf Child in the Family” were held over New Zealand, such as that organised by the Manawatu Association of Parents of Deaf Children who held a film evening at the Regent Theatre on April 29, 1969. Members from the Manawatu Deaf Society were invited to the 6:30pm screening, and Daniel Beech said it was “most enjoyable”.
Note: This page was last updated 2015. Contributions are welcomed.
