Touch the Sound (2004)
A mesmerizing documentary portrait of percussionist Evelyn Glennie, exploring how a nearly deaf musician hears the world through her entire body.
Touch the Sound - Movie Information
- Original Title: Touch the Sound
- Release Year: 2004
- Directed by: Thomas Riedelsheimer
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary, Music
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Japanese, English
- Production Companies: Filmquadrat
- Production Countries: Germany, United Kingdom
Touch the Sound - Plot
A documentary which explores the connections among sound, rhythm, time, and the body by following percussionist Evelyn Glennie, who is nearly deaf.
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Touch the Sound - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Thomas Riedelsheimer
Main Cast
- Evelyn Glennie
- Fred Frith
Writers
- Thomas Riedelsheimer
Producers
- Stefan Tolz
- Leslie Hills
- Trevor Davies
Touch the Sound - FAQs
How does Evelyn Glennie experience sound while being deaf?
Evelyn Glennie experiences sound primarily through vibration felt across her entire body rather than through conventional hearing. She lost most of her hearing by age 12 yet went on to become a world-renowned percussionist, demonstrating that music can be perceived through touch, resonance, and physical sensation in deeply powerful ways.
What is Touch the Sound about?
Touch the Sound is a 2004 documentary that follows Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie, who is profoundly deaf, as she explores the relationship between sound, rhythm, and the human body. Directed by Thomas Riedelsheimer, the film is a meditative, visually rich journey through music, perception, and the senses.
Who are the main people featured in Touch the Sound?
The film centers on Evelyn Glennie, the celebrated Scottish percussionist who is nearly deaf, and features guitarist and improviser Fred Frith as her musical collaborator. Together, they engage in spontaneous, boundary-pushing musical exchanges that form the emotional and artistic heart of the documentary.
Who directed Touch the Sound?
Touch the Sound was directed by Thomas Riedelsheimer, the German filmmaker best known for Rivers and Tides (2001), his acclaimed documentary about artist Andy Goldsworthy. Riedelsheimer also served as cinematographer, writer, and editor on the film, bringing his signature contemplative visual style to Glennie's sonic world.
Did Touch the Sound win any awards?
Touch the Sound earned strong critical praise upon release and was recognized at several documentary film festivals. The film's innovative approach to exploring deafness and musical perception won it admiration from both cinephiles and music lovers, cementing Thomas Riedelsheimer's reputation as a leading voice in artistic documentary filmmaking.
What genre is Touch the Sound?
Touch the Sound is a Documentary and Music film. It blends observational filmmaking with a deeply artistic, almost poetic sensibility, making it as much a sensory experience as a biographical portrait. Fans of music documentaries and meditative art films will find it especially rewarding.
How long is Touch the Sound?
Touch the Sound runs for 99 minutes, or about 1 hour and 39 minutes. The film moves at a thoughtful, unhurried pace that mirrors its subject matter — inviting viewers to slow down, listen differently, and experience the world of sound and vibration alongside Evelyn Glennie.
What are similar documentaries to Touch the Sound?
If you loved Touch the Sound, you might enjoy Gimme Shelter (1970), Dig! (2004), Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese (2019), The Velvet Underground (2021), or Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022). Each offers a compelling, intimate look at music, artistry, and the creative spirit.
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