About this Short Film
PSALM 40:1-3 (Dzaleka Films, Malawi, 2024) is a short film included in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival. It explores ideas of achievement, burden and change through the lens of art and drawing. The film raises questions about inclusion, competition and motivation, and reflects on how stereotypes, prejudice and stigma affect adults living with physical disability. Visual and emotional moments highlight both isolation and individual strength, while the presence of a wheelchair points to practical realities. Presented as part of our festival, this work contributes to conversations about ability, access and the ways creativity can reshape perceptions.
Film Details
Film Transcript
Listen. A dream of a disabled person ends up on her to walk on. Auntie, why are you saying this? Listen to me. You have no value in this community. I'm keeping you here just to cover you. Do you know the reason why your relatives refused to stay with you? It's because they obviously knew that you wouldn't help them in any way. You are a burden to me. It's not that you get married so that I can benefit anything from you; there is nothing that I can benefit. Why do you hurt me that much? Everything that I do looks back to you. Auna, now she to be dis, but it is my God. You have to leave my house. I mean right now—I'm tired of keeping you. I've kept you for a very, very long time. Now it's time for you to leave my house. I'm tired. I'm tired.
Where will I go with my disability? I don't have anyone to help me apart from you. Auntie, have mercy upon me. Let me show you. I can't—
I still can't keep you in my house. You are a burden. I'm just keeping you out of mercy, and then I'm telling you things you're not understanding. You have to—drawing, drawing—go drawing.
Listen to me, girl. Presenting this opportunity to you is something that I still can't believe. As someone with disease and disabled at the same time, there is no way you can be part of this competition. Get out of my office. You messed up the air.
Of course I'm a disabled person. I beg you to give me the opportunity in this competition. You are very—fun—you want to compete with your disability? Okay, I get you. Leave.
Ladies and gentlemen, the time of the competition is over. It's surprising as well as exciting to see someone with a lot of experience in drawing as the champion of today. She is known as Diana P. And here is the picture of what—
It has been here since you got that. Can you tell us the work that the man did?
Nice question. That man did a big work. I decided to open the school for people living with a disability, as you can see at my back, and I have opened an orphanage. After facing a lot of challenges during my growth, the orphans as well as people with a disability are going through a lot of terrible things. The reason behind it: I decided to help vulnerable people. Thanks. Uh, what about Madam… mad… okay.
Filmmaker
Dzaleka Films is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Dzaleka Films.
Wow Congregations my guys keep it up
This is amazing
Yes I really like it
This is very wonderful
Congratulation my guys
Eeeh guys ndi ya nzelu kwabas
Yapaaaah
Guys vraimment hiyo film niya busara sanaaaa
Verry fantastic short film.
A good film with good teachings everything here
This is very abdicated the best of the best
Wow this is really amazing Keep up the good work
Congratulation man big up