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Zoom 2011: Five Needles

A drama: the plight of Deaf Jewish women in a Nazi sewing factory

Short drama based on true events, about Deaf Jewish women who were kept in Nazi sewing factories during the Second World War. The women have five needles every day to sew with. In order to survive, they must keep them all intact, and avoid breaking all five. Can they maintain their concentration? Starring Deaf actors Fifi Garfield and Jean St Clair, Five Needles is the debut short film from Deaf filmmaker Julian Peedle Calloo, and was made as part of the BSLBT’s Zoom filmmaking scheme.

Winner of Youth Prize at European Film Festival (2012); Best Drama at Toronto Deaf Film Festival (2013)

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  • Thank you, sensitive, intelligent and heartbreaking movie.
    Posted on 21st Jan 2019
    190121
  • Just simply "Wow" such a poignant story. Beautifully enacted.
    Posted on 19th Jan 2018
    180119
  • brilliant short drams this one makes you think about these ladies that were their ,
    very helpfull in my learning of bsl
    Posted on 12th Apr 2017
    170412
  • I have only just caught up with this film. I found it very moving. Simply written. Well acted and directed. Good sound design. Bravo to all involved.
    I think this was a model of the way BSL drama should be evolving.
    Posted on 27th Jan 2017
    170127
  • So sad. This is the first time that I have thought about (D)deaf and hoh people in the war. I have been to a concentration camp and it was a very distressing experience. I feel I shoukd research this more. A very moving film.
    Posted on 27th Jan 2017
    170127
  • Very powerful movie. Thank you for creating such an impactful movie. Well acted, well written.
    Posted on 11th Feb 2015
    150211
  • a survivor - precious.
    powerfully shown - subtle
    Posted on 7th Jan 2015
    150107
  • Very moving story. They stuck together. Meant a lot to each other.
    Posted on 10th Dec 2014
    141210
  • I am very interest to understand deaf culture during holocust.
    Posted on 30th Nov 2014
    141130
  • I love to watch that movie
    " The Five Needles " But I live in USA..How can I watch it.. What is zoom 2011??
    Thank you Jean
    Posted on 30th Nov 2014
    141130
  • I am Deaf and Jewish. Thank you for this film. I intend to show it at one of my schools where I teach ASL. ( Melvin Berman Hebrew Academy).
    Posted on 30th Nov 2014
    141130
  • lovely good one story about "The five Needles" so very sad & tears & my heart hurts ... Sorry for loss ur 3 best friends of deaf ladies in camp... _\m/ thks for sharing... Sis in Christ x
    Posted on 23rd May 2014
    140523
  • It is really good film and very emotional because I love learn world war 2. I know how much suffer to Jewish deaf people in the world war 2. Hope there have other film talk about history. I would like watch it and love history!
    Posted on 23rd May 2014
    140523
  • Toda raba! This video is very operative! I am very happy that the deaf actresses are impressive to the Deaf people's watching.
    Posted on 4th Nov 2013
    131104
  • I had just seen the short film based on true facts 'The Five Needles' it was truly moving and very emotional. l can't imagine how they must have been feeling very scared especially those being deaf.

    Thank you for showing this to us
    Posted on 4th Nov 2013
    131104
  • this is a lovely moving story for our NZ Deaf people who are still learning about the Deaf Survivor holocaust. I am a deaf history researcher and deaf Christian....
    Posted on 4th Nov 2013
    131104
  • Made me cry.. Never heard about story before but thanks for sharing~ p.s It was beautifully signed too.
    Posted on 4th Nov 2013
    131104
  • My Father in law was Deaf so I learned and now teach churches to sign the Word of God.... My heart hurts ... I have the biggest lump in my throat and can hardly see through the water that is pooling in my eyes right now .... It is an untold piece of history and I thank you !!! I will share this !! And hope everyone else does also.
    Posted on 21st Oct 2013
    131021
  • a absolutely beautiful story, wonderfully done, heartfelt!
    Posted on 7th Oct 2013
    131007
  • I have heard so much about it and was hoping there was a book about it... I have a very good friends who is a jewish... Love them all....
    Posted on 4th Oct 2013
    131004
  • Heartfelt! I'd seen many old movies about how jewish women were treated in prison camp, but ndver saw one movie about a group of deaf female until now. Even tho it is a short movie, I like it the best.
    Posted on 4th Oct 2013
    131004
  • Hi, I am Deaf and actor from Toronto, Canada.... that film is the most powerful and beautiful ever I seen!!! Also very touching in my heart and brought tears to my eyes

    Bravo to actress! They are fabulous!

    God bless those ladies who were gone...

    Posted on 2nd Sep 2013
    130902
  • My mother, Raisa Feld, was one of these women, and she lived to tell the tale.
    Posted on 7th Aug 2013
    130807
  • very interesting, it does hit my heart. sometime I am so mad at Nazi. it is good story, tho. Keep up...
    Posted on 7th Aug 2013
    130807
  • Truly inspiring and faith strengthening.
    Posted on 31st Jul 2013
    130731
  • Wow! I am signless(speechless). I would love to see it in a movie. It would be a very inspiring story especially if hearing people see this movie. I promise you the Audism would be gone or disappear.
    Posted on 31st Jul 2013
    130731
  • This short film is heartbroken upon deaf and hearing around Europe and beyond western nations who fighting agisant Nazi's machines. It happens my few family members who were in United States Military in variety branches. The Late Admiral Burke who was eyewitness of Archwitz camp. Aftermath of the fall of Third Reich.

    Even, I am not jewish but Christian. I know lot of inside of Hitler's circle who believe cults some kind. And disobey God's orders.

    of course, went to the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC.. could not control my tears and hold breath. after, I was thinking WHY ??? until end of exbits of this Museum,,, that last wall said " HATE " that is what Hilter looking find a way to excuse to accuse that " Cause of Problems ,,,, In reality was pure Evil !
    Posted on 29th Jul 2013
    130729
  • This was a very heart wretching and touching video . Brought tears to my eyes how mean and evil those Nazi were to the Jews especially those deaf ladies and how strong they were till one by one then only one was left cause they broke 5 needles then were taken away forever. God surely was with those 4 ladies!
    Posted on 29th Jul 2013
    130729
  • Very moving. Short and to the point. Actresses did wonderful job expressing their "experiences".
    Posted on 29th Jul 2013
    130729
  • not fair for ladies who suffer but it is over in many years ago .. Hurt losing friends together.
    Posted on 29th Jul 2013
    130729
  • wow very good story and also very touching in my heart.
    Posted on 29th Jul 2013
    130729
  • Thank you. I do see a few minor errors but overall a good production. I understand that the conditions as a result of the Holocaust, rather than the Holocaust itself, may or may not define the deaf identity. One question is about the ending…I'm not quite sure what this was trying to achieve.

    I also remembered watching a deaf woman in Los Angeles, California who told about her experience through the Holocaust, including the same situation with the limited numbers of needles. This deaf woman who told us the story now is deceased but her story can be found in the http://jdcc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=928:surviving-the-holocaust&catid=328:feature-article
    Posted on 29th Jul 2013
    130729
  • This movie made me crying and and deep heart for the deaf women. I am so surprised to watch that show which is a true story. My beloved father was a survivor of Holocaust. Do you have any more deaf films like that?
    Thanks!
    Posted on 29th Jul 2013
    130729
  • I once knew a deaf lady who told me her story about her five needles. And since she was very young and new at sewing, she knew she had to be extra careful about her five needles. One day, she had used up her five needles and her sewing mates helped to save her by secretly, supplying her with a needle from their allotment to keep her safe.

    Stories like this one made me and my close friends appreciate what the Holocaust survivors went thru then. I know, at this time, of one deaf survivor who will be 93 yrs old and has told me her story of her escape from Germany. We will be celebrating her birthday this weekend! She and her sister had very close calls until they were able to leave the country.

    Another Holocaust survivor told us his story about his time in those camps and helping to save a torah... That torah turned up much later in our temple! It was amazing to discover that he recognized that being the one he helped to save!!!!!!!

    Fascinating stories... like these are to be treasured!
    Posted on 29th Jul 2013
    130729
  • very touching !
    Posted on 24th Jul 2013
    130724
  • Beautiful movie and big thanks from us to remember their love for our Invisible Creator to keep our lives unadulterated. Awesome short and very impact which I will never forget! :-)
    Posted on 24th Jul 2013
    130724
  • A job well done! Congrats! Keep up the great work.

    Posted on 24th Jul 2013
    130724
  • It is really good movie but my heart go sorrow for deaf Germany of Jewish. For their suffering work like slave. Germany soldiers should understand deaf also not to abuse them. For their suffering. And died younger. Very sad story.
    Posted on 24th Jul 2013
    130724
  • Broke my heart they suffered by innocent ( Jewish )
    Posted on 17th Jul 2013
    130717
  • is good from where me is like is firm but why deaf watch ww2
    Posted on 12th Nov 2012
    121112

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