Name Me Lawand

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Name Me Lawand

2023

1h 31m

Documentary

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12 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Lawand is a young Kurdish boy, deaf since birth. At five years old his future in Iraq looks destined to be limited and lonely. In desperate search of a better life in a world where he can communicate, his family decide to leave their home. After a treacherous journey and a year in a refugee camp, the help of a deaf volunteer brings them to Derby where Lawand joins the Royal School for the Deaf. As he grows older, the film follows his dramatic progress learning British Sign Language, revealing a bright, charismatic and inquisitive boy, who discovers friendship and a new way to express himself. But just as Lawand is joyfully finding his place in the world, the family face deportation from the UK.

Helen O'Hara

Empire Magazine

A beautifully shot, intimate and powerful story about hope and discovery and the power of talking to one another no matter what barriers stand between us.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 17, 2023

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Even without documentary director Edward Lovelace’s inventive approach, this would be a potent and powerful story.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 9, 2023

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

It is by turns dreamy, sad, wistful and vividly affectionate.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 7, 2023

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Both devastating and hopeful, this award-winning documentary depicts a young child's trauma, but also offers a window into the incredible effect the right kind of help and support can have.

Mar 11, 2025

Full Review

Clotilde Chinnici

Loud and Clear Reviews

As I was watching Name Me Lawand, I could not help but wonder: how many Lawands are there in the world? How many are there whose story goes unsung and unheard?

Rated: 4/5

Sep 15, 2024

Full Review

Tom Shone

Sunday Times (UK)

Lovelace’s sinuously crafted film, shot over the course of four years, uses ambient sound design and a dollying camera to reproduce, as faithfully as possible, the oceanic rollercoaster of Lawand’s world.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 2, 2023

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Edward Lovelace

Director

Edward Lovelace

Writer

Fleur Nieddu

Producer

Edward Lovelace

Producer

Sam Arnold

Producer

Beyan Taher

Producer

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Synopsis

Lawand is a young Kurdish boy, deaf since birth. At five years old his future in Iraq looks destined to be limited and lonely. In desperate search of a better life in a world where he can communicate, his family decide to leave their home. After a treacherous journey and a year in a refugee camp, the help of a deaf volunteer brings them to Derby where Lawand joins the Royal School for the Deaf. As he grows older, the film follows his dramatic progress learning British Sign Language, revealing a bright, charismatic and inquisitive boy, who discovers friendship and a new way to express himself. But just as Lawand is joyfully finding his place in the world, the family face deportation from the UK.

Director: Edward Lovelace
Producer: Fleur Nieddu, Edward Lovelace, Sam Arnold, Beyan Taher, Neil Andrews, Marisa Clifford
Screenwriter: Edward Lovelace
Production Co: Pulse Films, The Electric Shadow Company
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 31m