But, this is the first time I’ve seen CODA representation in film. Twitter user wrote before watching the film: "As a Black coda, I have many thoughts, and most are critical. "I’d rather Hollywood accept that there is a great thirst for unique stories centering Black deaf people and the people we love, and fund and produce those films," says Adrienne Gravish, group director and consultant with Deaf Talent Media and Entertainment Consulting. "By employing deaf and hard-of-hearing actors, the public is given opportunities to see these differences in our society."Īnother point of contention: The film is centered on a white family. "More stories of, about and by deaf and hard of hearing people are needed in every shape and form to portray the full range within the truly diverse deaf and hard of hearing community," Rosenblum says. Novic concedes, too, that the film is somewhat of a cliché – "coming-of-age misfit in your family" – but "three real deaf leads is unprecedented and really exciting." "Nevertheless, there are still many hearing children today who function as the family interpreter for their deaf parents, although this should never happen in formal settings like a courtroom or a hospital where professional neutral interpreters are required." "American society has changed in many ways, including stronger disability rights that have empowered many deaf adults to rely less on their hearing children as was portrayed in 'CODA'", Rosenblum says. Rosenblum, notes, however, that this is the case across many other settings. National Association of the Deaf CEO Howard A. "And I have been nothing but thrilled for her and her successes." "I have been in the exact position shown in the movie, sitting in the audience watching her sing," Beacom says. But she didn't feel uncomfortable watching her sing like Ruby's family does in the film. With praise, however, comes backlash, too.īeacom is deaf and has a 20-year-old hearing daughter – also an accomplished singer and part of a high school choir, like Ruby. Quite the ensemble: Fall in love with 'CODA'? Marlee Matlin's co-stars (deaf and not) give standout performances What 'CODA' could have done better "I was also into music as a child, and so this story hit way closer to home for me than anything." "That isolated experience of being the ears/mouthpiece for your family, and how that forces a child to grow up fast, I thought rang very true to my own experience," Viscardi says. James Viscardi, a CODA himself, felt the film accurately portrayed his experience. "I liked that these characters were sexual beings – deaf and disabled people are often neutered or virginal in movies and books, and that's extremely boring and inaccurate," Novic says. Deaf characters not only have sex in the film, but Ruby's father tries to give his daughter a sex talk via sign language – which one can only laugh-cry at. "And so much is misrepresented, especially deaf people's competence and ability to thrive in 2021."ĭeaf writer Sara Novic enjoyed that the film allowed its characters to exist beyond their deafness. "My hopes were so high, and I was so disappointed at the missteps and missed opportunities," says Jenna Beacom, a sensitivity reader and young adult author. "CODA" marks a moment of unbridled joy for deaf communities – finally, yes, significant representation since 1986's "Children of a Lesser God" – though it doesn't come without its critics, who advocate for stronger authenticity in media representations of deaf and CODA culture.Īs with any marginalized group, they are not monolithic. "CODA" – which stands for "child of deaf adults" – is the story of 17-year-old Ruby (Emilia Jones), the hearing child of deaf parents (Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur), who's caught between helping her family's fledgling fish business in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and pursuing her singing aspirations in college. But when a movie like " CODA" – now in theaters and on Apple TV+ – comes along, smiles easily spread across faces as deaf actors and characters finally get their chance in the spotlight. They hug it out.Īudiences may roll their eyes at these coming-of-age movie cliches.
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