Notes on Blindness
| Notes on Blindness | |
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 British release poster | |
| Directed by |
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| Produced by |
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| Cinematography | Gerry Floyd |
| Edited by | Julian Quantrill |
| Music by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Notes on Blindness is a 2016 British documentary film directed by Peter Middleton and James Spinney. The film profiles writer and theologian John M. Hull, who became totally blind, just days before the birth of his first son, after decades of steadily deteriorating vision. To help him make sense of the upheaval in his life, Hull began documenting his experiences on audio cassette and wrote his autobiography Touching the Rock: An Experience of Blindness in 1990.[1] He discusses difficulties such as remembering his families faces, and being unable to find audio versions of the academic books he wants to read, and thus having to ask friends and family to record them for him. The film is based upon this work, and his taped diaries and letters. The directors previously created a 2014 Emmy winning short film on the same subject, which this film builds upon.[2]
The film won the British Independent Film Award for Best Documentary and received nominations for Best Director, Breakthrough Producer, Best Achievement in Craft (Joakim Sundström for sound) and the Douglas Hickox Award.[3] At the 70th British Academy Film Awards, the film was nominated for Best British Film, Best Documentary and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer.[4] It was pitched at Sheffield Doc/Fest's 2012 MeetMarket.[5]
Dan Renton Skinner and Simone Kirby depict John Hull and Marilyn Hull respectively in the film.[6]
"Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness", an immersive VR experience, released alongside the film, won a XR Peabody Award in 2021.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Robey, Tim (30 June 2016). "Notes on Blindness is one of the most eye-opening documentaries you'll see all year - review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^ Kermode, Mark (3 July 2016). "Notes on Blindness review – seeing the light despite the darkness". the Guardian. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (11 November 2016). "Ken Loach's 'I, Daniel Blake' Leads British Independent Film Awards Race". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^ Lodderhose, Diana (9 January 2017). "BAFTA Nominations: 'La La Land' Leads With 11; 'Arrival,' 'Nocturnal Animals' Nab 9 Each – Full List & Notable Omissions". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^ "Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness, a Film and VR Autopsy". Sheffield DocFest Podcast (Podcast). 28 October 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Notes on Blindness - Apple TV". Apple TV. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
- ^ "Notes on Blindness | Digital productions ARTE". www.arte.tv. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
