Lorm's Alphabet

Film documentary portrait of Jan Pavlicek called Bison, who was born blind and he is loosing his hearing too. Bison has a chance to pass the ritual in the Arizona desert. He believes that Navajo tribal chief Blackhorse may give him his hearing back.

Author: Pavel Jurda

  • Bison with Lorm's glove in Berlin.

  • Bison with the director Pavel Jurda on bike.

  • Bison discovers a map of United States.

EUR 2,423
pledged of EUR 11,860

20%

20% completed

63 contributors pledged

Community, Film

Praha, Hlavní město Praha, Česká republika

All or nothing. Project finished on Aug 29, 2015 at 18:30.

Show all rewards

How does it begin?

Filmcrew is observing “Bison” for four years already, and not only him but also some other people from the deaf-blind community. Lorm’s alphabet movie title refers to the way of communication, which was invented in the 19th century by deafblind Jewish intellectual from Mikulov Hieronymus Lorm. This "language" is used today throughout the world.

Details

We follow Bison in his daily overcoming obstacles (both literal and metaphorical). He works as a tourist guide in the cave of Blanik Knights near Brno. His biggest passion since the childhood is Indians and their culture. He fells in love during the filming and now he lives with his wife Zuzana. Bison also advises researchers in Berlin, who are working on a prototype of Lorm’s glove, an electronic interface allowing sending and receiving emails and messages.

This glove might help him on his next trip – he will fly by plane for the first time in his life – to visit Indians in Arizona, where he would like to experience the traditional Navajo ritual and make his dream come true.

What is our goal?

And that is why we need and looking on HitHit for some more finance – for Bison’s trip to Arizona. 6-member crew, directed by Pavel Jurda, together with Bison and his assistant wants to go for a two-week shoot this autumn. We would like to visit Navajo tribal chief and shaman Blackhorse in Indian village near the town Shiprock in Navajo reservation on borders of Arizona and New Mexico.

This journey should not be only fulfilling a lifelong Bison’s dream (who, until now, knew United States only by memorized the maps as you can see in our video) but also the grand finale of this feature documentary film, which is set in various locations throughout the Czech Republic and also in Berlin and Vienna. On top of that, Bison believes that the Indian ritual could also improve his sense of hearing, which he is loosing past ten years.

Who are we?

Film director Pavel Jurda and producer Radim Procházka, who has also work on successful films as “Long Live The Family” and “Rules of Lies” by Robert Sedláček or “Obscurantist and His Lineage” by Karel Vachek. More info here: http://www.radimprochazka.com/

Why HitHit?

Art house movies and specially documentaries are not earning money in cinemas. Our film budgets are mainly covered by state funding and other cultural grants. This means that we had to know exactly what are we shooting and make accurate budgets at the beginning, even before the shooting. But if suddenly arises such a great opportunity to shoot something like an Indian ritual, the possibility to raise some additional money in such a short time is very limited. Therefore, for the first time, our production company is approaching the future audience and asking them for a contribution to the film.

Photo diary

In collaboration with the photographer Roman Franc we would like to release not only special artistic collection of Bison’s photos but also a book, shich will include Bizon’s diary, but also Roman’s photos. You can see examples of his work in the gallery. These photos are included in our bonuses – check what you can get if you support our project. You can find more about Roman here: http://romanfranc.cz/.

... and little bit more

It's a strange feeling to make a film about someone who can never watch it. However, we believe that as this documentary is one of the first extensive insight into the deaf-blind community (which has 4000 people in Czech Republic), it will help open the eyes mostly to people who can see. Often they don’t misbehave to people with disabilities out of spite, but out of ignorance or lack of empathy.

Project links

Comments

Choose reward for your contribution

  • sold 8

    Stream of documentary at your home.

    Reward delivery: not specified

    EUR 7.91
    (CZK 200)
  • sold 11

    Postcard from USA signed by Bizon and Indians.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 11.86
    (CZK 300)
  • remaining 35 from 40
    VAŠE JMÉNO V ZÁVĚREČNÝCH TITULKÁCH!

    Vaše jméno se objeví jako poděkování v závěrečných titulkách filmu! A k tomu získáte ještě stream dokumentu u Vás doma.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 11.86
    (CZK 300)
  • remaining 21 from 30

    DVD of the film with original cover. Limited edition of 30 pieces.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 15.81
    (CZK 400)
  • remaining 8 from 25

    Tickets to ceremonial premiere of the film Lorm’s alphabet (in Prague or Brno) – for two persons.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.77
    (CZK 500)
  • remaining 29 from 30

    Personal tour in cave of Blanik Knights by Bizon who works here as a guide – for two persons.

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 27.67
    (CZK 700)
  • remaining 18 from 20

    Tickets to ceremonial premiere of the film Lorm’s alphabet (in Prague or Brno) – for two persons and DVD of the film.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 31.63
    (CZK 800)
  • sold 2

    Special screening in interesting space (will be specified) with Bison and Q&A – for two persons.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 39.53
    (CZK 1,000)
  • remaining 18 from 20

    Artistic poster made by photographer Roman Franc signed by Bizon..

    Reward delivery: not specified

    EUR 47.44
    (CZK 1,200)
  • remaining 15 from 15

    Tickets to ceremonial premiere of the film Lorm’s alphabet (in Prague or Brno) – for two persons, DVD of the film, artistic poster made by photographer Roman Franc signed by Bizon and personal tour in cave of Blanik Knights by Bizon who works here as a guide.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 94.88
    (CZK 2,400)
  • remaining 6 from 10

    Gift souvenir from Navajo reservation in USA with an explication and an inscription by Indians.

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 118.60
    (CZK 3,000)
  • remaining 6 from 7

    Course of Lorm’s alphabet with personal meeting with Bison.

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 158.13
    (CZK 4,000)
  • remaining 5 from 5

    Tickets to ceremonial premiere of the film Lorm’s alphabet (in Prague or Brno) – for two persons, DVD of the film, artistic poster made by photographer Roman Franc signed by Bizon, course of Lorm’s alphabet with personal meeting with Bison and gift souvenir from Navajo reservation in USA with an explication and an inscription by Indians.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 316.27
    (CZK 8,000)
  • remaining 5 from 5

    Original photography made by Roman Franc – format 30x30 cm. Portrait of Bizon. Archive pigment print on cotton paper. Shoot on classic film camera – 6x6cm. Limited edition of 5 photos.

    Reward delivery: in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 474.40
    (CZK 12,000)
  • remaining 4 from 4

    Insight to editor’s room – are you interested how much and which material was made in past 4 years? Do you want to see what will not be in the movie? You have unique opportunity to see what is going on in editing room with director and editor.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 593.00
    (CZK 15,000)
  • remaining 4 from 5

    Original photography made by Roman Franc – format 50x50 cm. Portrait of Bizon. Archive pigment print on cotton paper. Shoot on classic film camera – 6x6cm. Limited edition of 5 photos.

    Reward delivery: in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 711.60
    (CZK 18,000)
  • remaining 2 from 2

    Artistic photo portrait of you made by Roman Franc – format 50x50cm. Making of this photography would take some time, you will need several meetings with Roman. It would be unique experience for you. Archive pigment print on cotton paper. Shoot on classic film camera – 6x6cm.

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 988.34
    (CZK 25,000)
  • remaining 1 from 1

    Shooting trip with filmcrew and Bizon to visit Indians in Navajo reservation in USA. The only person can join the crew and enjoy unique sightseeing with Bizon and our guides and see very detail tour into the life of Indians in Navajo reservation on borders of Arizona and New Mexico. This price includes plane ticket, transport, food and accommodation in settlement not far away of Shiprock, in house of tribal chief Blackhorse.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 3,953.35
    (CZK 100,000)