Sundance Film Festival Award Winner ‘CODA’ Breaks New Ground for Deaf Movie Lovers

LOS ANGELES – Going to the movies is not much fun for deaf people. Screenings in cinemas with subtitles are limited, and the special glasses and equipment needed to play them are often broken or unavailable.

“CODA,” a coming-of-age story about the only hearing member of a deaf family, will change that when screened with open captions that don’t require special equipment in all theaters and schedules. US and UK, starting Friday.

“It couldn’t be more revolutionary, (just) how revolutionary the film is in supporting the deaf community and the hard of hearing community,” said Marlee Matlin, who plays a deaf mother in the film. Matlin is the only deaf performer to win the Oscar for Best Actress in “Children of a Lesser God” in 1987.

“CODA,” an acronym for Child of Deaf Adults, won four awards at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. It will also stream with subtitles on Apple TV +, starting Friday.

Apple worked with theater operators to ensure the film would be shown everywhere, for deaf and hearing audiences, with the captions etched into the print in what is considered a first for a feature film released in rooms.

“It’s historic. It’s huge for all of us,” said Daniel Durant, a deaf actor who plays son Leo. “It’s a day we’ve been waiting to see for so many years.”

“CODA” tells the story of a high school student Ruby who grew up performing for her deaf father, mother and brother in situations ranging from doctor visits to their small fishing business. The family communicates with sign language and the three deaf characters are played by deaf actors.

It follows “Sound of Metal” about a drummer losing his hearing, which won six Oscar nominations earlier this year, including Best Picture.

Durant said that while some scenes give the specific perspective of deaf people, the appeal of “CODA” is universal.

“Anyone watching this can feel connected because everyone comes from a family, and every family goes through similar struggles – the kids are growing up, what are they going to do in their future, become independent, maybe they ‘away from their families,’ he said.

Hearing writer-director Sian Heder learned American Sign Language for the project and wanted to make sure the film was accessible to everyone.

“A lot of times I think deaf people are excluded from the movie experience because of devices that don’t work and the lack of devices in theaters,” Heder said.

The filmmakers hope that the captioned screenings of “CODA” will persuade other studios to follow their example and encourage deaf people to try movie theaters again.

Heder recalled the emotional reaction of a deaf man at a recent screening with open captions in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where the film was shot.

“He was like, ‘I don’t go to the movies. I can’t wear these glasses. They make me nauseous. Half the time they don’t work, so I just stopped going to the theater.’ He hadn’t seen a movie in theaters for 10 years and he was very moved and excited. “

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