“People of the world “hear” music and experience sound in so many different ways.”
EL CANTO DE LAS MANOS (SONG OF THE HANDS)
Feature Documentary
The story follows four Deaf Venezuelan musicians of the world-renowned El Coro de Manos Blancas (The White Hands Choir) of El Sistema de Venezuela who travel from their humble homes in Barquisimeto to Los Angeles to appear in Beethoven’s only opera “Fidelio”, directed by Gustavo Dudamel alongside the LA Philharmonic and the acclaimed Deaf West Theatre. We follow them to the bright lights of Hollywood and through their return home, a return to reality and their lives, rediscovering the importance of music in the world they face due to deafness. What our protagonists don’t know is what awaits them is something much bigger. A dream has come true. This is a story of first times.
Summer, 2025 the film closed the Atlàntida Mallorca Film Festival, a prestigious and increasingly recognized event. It was an unforgettable gala that was attended by Her Majesty the Queen of Spain, who expressed her admiration for the film.
Filmin will be the distributor of the film in Spain. Thanks to their support, El Canto de las Manos will be released in cinemas across the country on December 11, 2025—a very special date that will allow us to bring this story to the widest possible audience.
Filmin has also acquired the rights to release the film on its platform in February 2026, ensuring that the story will continue to travel and move even more people.
Inspiration.
Directed by María Valverde, El Canto de las Manos (Song of the Hands) follows three Deaf Venezuelan musicians as they prepare to perform Beethoven’s Fidelio in sign language under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel. The film explores music as sound, movement, language and community — and the human desire to be heard.
Project Partners.
Dudamel Foundation
Deaf West Theatre
Forty Entertainment
Breathe Artists.
Maria Valverde