Derby teen takes school friends and teachers to see his big screen debut

A deaf teenager took his classmates and schoolteachers to the cinema to watch a new documentary film which is based on his life.

Lawand Hamadamin, who attends Royal School for the Deaf Derby, is the star of the award-winning film Name Me Lawand which follows his treacherous journey from Iraq to his new life in Derby. 

The documentary is being shown in cinemas across the UK and charts the story of how Lawand, a profoundly deaf Kurdish boy, found his voice and identity by attending the school in Ashbourne Road.

Last week, the 13-year-old took a group of 45 children and 25 staff to watch a screening of the film at Derby Quad , courtesy of staff at the cinema.

Paul Burrows, headteacher at Royal School for the Deaf Derby said: “Lawand has seen the film a few times now, but he was really looking forward to showing his friends why cameras were following him around for quite some time.

“Lawand is a popular young man and many of his contemporaries had forgotten his back story, so it was interesting to see their reaction to his big screen debut.

“We are very grateful to Quad for giving the school and Lawand the opportunity to attend the screening free of charge, it was a proud moment for him.”

Lawand was unable to communicate with anyone, including his own family, when he arrived in the UK aged just six-years-old and he was understandably withdrawn and isolated.

Filmmakers documented Lawand’s last four years at the school and captured the youngster blossoming into a confident and happy teenager, who can communicate freely using British Sign Language.

The film also shows the family’s fight to stay in the UK over several years, a plight that was backed by staff at the school who could see that Lawand was making good progress.

Mr Burrows added: “This is an inspiring story about a remarkable young man who initially lacked the ability to communicate effectively, a basic human need that the vast majority of us take very much for granted.

“Everyone at the school is very proud to have played an important part in giving Lawand a voice and we think the film helps put the school - and the city - on the map.”