Going to the Cinema theatres isn’t much fun for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Screenings in theatres with subtitles are limited and the special glasses and equipment needed to read them are often unavailable or broken.
Cinema screenings of the Apple TV+ film “CODA” will be accessible to moviegoers who are deaf and hard of hearing, with the theatrical release including captions burned into the film print.
CODA, an acronym for “Child of Deaf Adults”, a coming-of-age story about the only hearing member of a deaf family, will change when screened with open captions that need no special equipment in all U.S. and U.K. movie theaters and showtimes. CODA won four awards at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
“It couldn’t be more groundbreaking, (just) as the film is groundbreaking in support of the deaf community and the hard-of-hearing community,” said Marlee Matlin, who plays a deaf mother in the film.
Apple worked with movie theatre operators to ensure the film would be played everywhere, for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, with the captions burned into the print in what is thought to be a first for a feature movie release in theatres.
“It is historic. It is huge for all us,” said Daniel Durant, a deaf actor who plays son Leo. “This is a day we have waited to see for so many years.”
CODA tells the story of high school student Ruby who has grown up having to interpret 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 all three of the deaf characters are played by deaf actors.
It follows Sound of Metal about a drummer who loses his hearing, earning six Oscar nominations earlier this year, including best picture.
Durant said while some scenes give the specific viewpoint of people with hearing disabilities, the appeal of CODA is universal.
“Anyone who watches this can feel connected with it because everyone comes from a family, and every family goes through similar struggles – kids growing up, what are they going to do in their future, becoming independent, maybe they’re moving away from their family,” he said.
Writer-director Sian Heder, who is hearing, learned American Sign Language for the project and wanted to ensure the film was accessible to everyone.
“Oftentimes I think deaf people are left out of the movie-going experience because of devices that don’t work and lack of devices in theatres,” Heder said.
The moviemakers hope the open caption screenings for CODA will persuade other studios to follow their example and encourage people with hearing disabilities to try movie theatres again.
The movie CODA will be available to view on Apple TV+ from Friday, complete with subtitles in 36 languages.
