Watch the trailer here

In recent years the deaf community have been getting some serious recognition in Hollywood and rightly so, any disability is not easy to live with. “The Wake” directed, written, and produced by Luis Gerard is a phenomenal story. We follow the story of a 15-year-old boy whose family run a funeral business. The boy views his father’s line of work as profiting from the dead, so he breaks into houses of the deceased to steal things that he views as items they can no longer make use of, he recruits his younger deaf-mute brother to help, what happens next is truly chilling. 

It is never easy casting and directing a film with minimal speech, having said that Gerard has done an impeccable job with this short. Not only did all the cast learn sign language but they each emoted such great character in their roles that you can’t help but get engrossed in each one. Martin who is played by Zander Colbeck-Bhola is an astounding young deaf actor who has an endless stream of talent with a big career ahead of him. Gerard’s expert directing eye blossoms in this chilling story which takes an unexpected turn. 

Gerard’s expert directing eye blossoms in this chilling story which takes an unexpected turn. 

“The Wake” will be showing at the Oscar-qualifying Cleveland International Film Festival. This gripping film will have you at the edge of your seat. Watch out for these two names, the director Luis Gerard and the young star Zander Colbeck-Bhola, as both are rising stars!

Watch out for these two names, the director Luis Gerard and the young star Zander Colbeck-Bhola, as both are rising stars!

Regina Mahmoud