Making a film about a person's life, even if it's just a glimpse into a specific period, is a significant endeavor that carries a lasting impact. Award-winning filmmaker Lorenzo DeStefano had to reshape his vision when he encountered the extraordinary talents of Rachel Flowers. Born on December 21, 1993, a mere 15 weeks premature, Rachel weighed only one pound and five ounces at birth. Unfortunately, she lost her sight due to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), yet this did not hinder her musical journey.
By the age of two, Rachel could play any song she heard by ear, showcasing her perfect pitch. Her musical education began at just four years old when she became a student at the Southern California Conservatory of Music. Over the next decade, she immersed herself in piano studies and learned both Braille Music Code and adaptive computer music applications. Notably, Rachel was featured in segments on 60 Minutes in 2005 and 2008, highlighting the Music Academy for the Blind in Los Angeles.
Rachel shares her life with her 14-year-old brother Vaughan Flowers and her mother Jeanie Flowers, who is also a talented singer and musician, in Oxnard, California. Her father, Dan Flowers, a fellow musician residing in Ventura, California, adds depth to the narrative as he navigates his own struggles with failing eyesight, a genetic condition that differs from Rachel's. Dan attends mobility training classes at the Braille Institute in Santa Barbara, where Rachel has also been supported since she turned ten, all while finding guidance from a daughter who has triumphed against adversity.
The film highlights the contributions of various renowned artists, including the legendary Stevie Wonder, Keith Emerson of Emerson Lake & Palmer, Dweezil Zappa, jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, Patrick Maraz of the Moody Blues, jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti, and the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, who recorded Rachel’s original piece, "At The End Of The Day."
The team behind Hearing is Believing has made substantial progress since production began in March 2014, capturing 42 days of footage focused on a compelling portrayal of a close-knit American family living on the edge financially. Through a blend of joyful and challenging moments, the Flowers family presses on, with Rachel’s music serving as their uplifting soundtrack. The film seeks to uncover the greatness that lies within small moments, celebrating Rachel's vibrant and free-spirited love for music.
Despite the inherent uncertainties faced by independent films, Hearing is Believing aims to resonate with audiences. Rachel Flowers, now 21, is a remarkable survivor and an inspiring figure whose deeply human experience and astounding musical abilities possess the potential to shine brightly, illuminating the strength of family ties and the intricate nature of musical expression.
