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Hearing Is Believing (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Hearing Is Believing (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 104 min · English
JustWatch #17,349 2
Directed by
Lorenzo DeStefano
Starring
Brian Hutchison, Benny Chong II, Cynthia Gonzalez, Dan Flowers, Greg Benevidez, Jeanie Flowers

This documentary follows the remarkable story of Rachel Flowers, a talented musician and composer who rose above her humble beginnings. Filmmaker Lorenzo DeStefano explores Rachel's inspiring journey as she pursues her passion for music and overcomes challenges to achieve her dreams, showcasing her exceptional gifts and unwavering determination.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Hearing Is Believing
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Hearing Is Believing (2017)

Where can you watch Hearing Is Believing? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla and Amazon Prime Video Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Hearing Is Believing Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Hearing Is Believing (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Rachel Flowers

    Rachel Flowers is a profoundly talented young musician who, despite losing her sight shortly after birth, has thrived musically. Her extraordinary ability to play by ear and her dedication to mastering music reflect her spirit and determination. Rachel is portrayed as an uplifting force within her family, using her music to inspire and motivate others.

    • 🎹 Musician
    • 🌟 Inspirational
    • 👧 Survivor
  • Vaughan Flowers

    Vaughan Flowers is Rachel's supportive brother, who shares a close bond with her. At 14 years old, he navigates his own adolescence while being a source of encouragement for Rachel as she pursues her musical dreams. His character represents familial loyalty and the importance of sibling relationships.

    • 👦 Supportive Brother
    • 🎶 Family
    • ❤️ Loyalty
  • Jeanie Flowers

    Jeanie Flowers, Rachel's mother, is a talented singer and musician whose love and support for her children are central to the family's story. She plays a vital role in nurturing Rachel's musical abilities and provides emotional strength as the family confronts their challenges together.

    • 🧑‍🎤 Mother
    • 🎤 Musician
    • ❤️ Nurturer
  • Dan Flowers

    Dan Flowers, Rachel's father, is a musician who also faces his own struggles with failing eyesight. His journey complements Rachel's, as both navigate the challenges posed by their conditions. Dan's character adds depth to the narrative, illustrating the diverse ways in which family members support each other.

    • 🎸 Musician
    • 👨‍👧‍👦 Supportive Father
    • 🎶 Resilience

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:12

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Setting

Where and When Does Hearing Is Believing Take Place?

The setting of Hearing Is Believing (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

2014 - Present

The narrative of 'Hearing Is Believing' spans from March 2014 during its production to the present day, showcasing Rachel Flowers' evolving journey as a musician and survivor. This period reflects the significance of storytelling through film in capturing intimate and transformative life experiences.

Location

Oxnard, California, Ventura, California, Santa Barbara, California

Oxnard, California, is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant agricultural community. The city is home to the Flowers family, whose story unfolds in the film, showcasing a close-knit familial bond against the backdrop of challenges. Nearby Ventura and Santa Barbara also play significant roles, particularly in the context of music education and foundational support for Rachel's journey.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🎶 Music
  • 🌊 Beach

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:12

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3 major themes

Hearing Is Believing Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Hearing Is Believing (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Musical Journey

    The film underscores the transformational power of music, particularly within the life of Rachel Flowers. Despite her visual impairment, Rachel's extraordinary talent and perfect pitch allowed her to thrive musically, illustrating how passion and resilience can transcend adversity. Music serves as both a personal and familial soundtrack that uplifts and binds together the Flowers family.

  • Family Bonds

    At its core, 'Hearing Is Believing' is a testament to the strength of family connections. The film portrays the struggles and triumphs of the Flowers family as they navigate Rachel's challenges, with their unwavering support being a pivotal theme. The narrative highlights how love and unity can foster resilience and hope in the face of adversity.

  • Overcoming Adversity

    Rachel's journey represents a profound narrative of overcoming challenges. Her determination to excel in music, despite being born prematurely and losing her sight, inspires audiences. The film captures how resilience and hope can shine through even the darkest moments, encouraging viewers to celebrate inner strength.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:12

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Character & theme questions

Hearing Is Believing Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Hearing Is Believing (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the documentary take place?

The documentary is set primarily in Oxnard, California, a city known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant agricultural community. Ventura and Santa Barbara also appear in the film, particularly in relation to music education opportunities that supported Rachel Flowers' journey.

  • oxnard california
  • ventura
  • santa barbara
  • setting
  • locations
Q2

What time period does the documentary cover?

The film spans from March 2014 during its production to the present day, documenting Rachel Flowers' ongoing evolution as a musician and her continued pursuit of musical excellence.

  • 2014
  • time period
  • timeline
  • present day
Q3

Who is Rachel Flowers?

Rachel Flowers is a profoundly talented young musician who was born prematurely and lost her sight shortly after birth. Despite her visual impairment, she developed an extraordinary ability to play music by ear and possesses perfect pitch, becoming an inspirational figure through her dedication to mastering piano and other instruments.

  • rachel flowers
  • blind musician
  • visual impairment
  • perfect pitch
Q4

What is the main theme of the film?

The film centers on the transformational power of music, showing how Rachel Flowers' extraordinary talent and passion enabled her to thrive musically despite being born prematurely and blind. Music serves as both a personal and familial soundtrack that uplifts and binds together the Flowers family.

  • music
  • transformation
  • passion
  • resilience
  • theme
Q5

How does the film portray family bonds?

The documentary is a testament to the strength of family connections, portraying the Flowers family's unwavering support for Rachel as she navigates her musical journey. Her mother Jeanie nurtures her musical abilities, her brother Vaughan provides encouragement, and her father Dan, who also faces failing eyesight, complements her story with shared understanding of overcoming challenges.

  • family bonds
  • parents
  • siblings
  • support
  • love
Q6

What challenges does Rachel Flowers overcome?

Rachel was born prematurely and lost her sight shortly after birth, yet she refused to let these obstacles define her. Her determination to excel in music, learning to play by ear and developing perfect pitch, exemplifies her resilience and serves as an inspiring narrative about overcoming adversity.

  • blindness
  • prematurity
  • adversity
  • overcoming challenges
  • determination
Q7

Who are Rachel Flowers' parents and what are their roles?

Rachel's mother is Jeanie Flowers, a talented singer and musician who plays a vital role in nurturing Rachel's musical abilities and providing emotional strength. Her father is Dan Flowers, also a musician who faces his own struggles with failing eyesight, adding depth to the narrative through his parallel journey with visual challenges.

  • jeanie flowers
  • dan flowers
  • parents
  • mother
  • father
Q8

Who is Vaughan Flowers and what is his role?

Vaughan Flowers is Rachel's younger brother, who was 14 years old during the documentary. He shares a close bond with Rachel and serves as a source of encouragement as she pursues her musical dreams, representing the importance of sibling relationships and familial loyalty.

  • vaughan flowers
  • brother
  • sibling
  • family support
Q9

How does the film address disability through music?

The documentary illustrates how passion and resilience can transcend adversity. Rachel's extraordinary musical talent despite her blindness demonstrates that artistic expression can flourish beyond physical limitations, with music serving as a vehicle for empowerment and self-discovery.

  • disability
  • blindness
  • music
  • inspiration
  • accessibility
Q10

What kind of music does Rachel Flowers play?

Rachel Flowers is a multi-instrumentalist known for her exceptional piano playing. She learned to play by ear and possesses perfect pitch, allowing her to master complex musical compositions. Her musical style spans various genres, reflecting both her technical skill and emotional depth as a performer.

  • piano
  • musician
  • perfect pitch
  • ear
  • instruments
  • music

Movie threads

More Movies Like Hearing Is Believing, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Hearing Is Believing tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Intimate artist documentaries like Hearing Is Believing

Personal portraits of artists overcoming obstacles to share their gifts with the world. If you were inspired by Hearing Is Believing, explore other documentaries that profile talented artists on their personal journeys. These films share a hopeful tone and steady pacing, focusing on the power of creativity and perseverance in the face of adversity.

  • inspiring
  • intimate
  • uplifting
  • heartfelt
  • reflective
  • triumphant
  • Tone: hopeful, inspiring
  • Pacing: steady, linear
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These documentaries typically follow a linear biographical structure, tracing an artist's path from early challenges to significant achievements. The central conflict often involves overcoming external obstacles like disability or financial hardship, or internal struggles like self-doubt, culminating in joyful recognition of their talent.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by their shared focus on the creative process, an uplifting and hopeful tone, and a narrative built around perseverance. The viewing experience is consistently intimate, heartfelt, and focused on the power of art to transform lives.

Movies about overcoming adversity like Hearing Is Believing

Stories where resilience and support lead to uplifting personal victories. For viewers who loved the inspiring journey in Hearing Is Believing, this collection features stories with a similar vibe. Discover films about perseverance, strong family bonds, and happy endings that celebrate the strength of the human spirit.

  • hopeful
  • uplifting
  • inspiring
  • heartfelt
  • triumphant
  • resilience
  • Tone: hopeful, heartfelt
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows a protagonist confronting a major obstacle. The journey is characterized by small victories and setbacks, emphasizing personal growth and the power of support systems. The arc is fundamentally positive, building towards a conclusion that feels earned and happy, focusing on ability rather than limitation.

Why they belong together: These films share a cohesive mix of a hopeful tone, medium emotional weight, and a happy ending feel. They prioritize inspiration over despair, creating a viewing experience that is emotionally impactful yet ultimately uplifting and satisfying.

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Every angle

Hearing Is Believing (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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