2020 Directed by Darius Marder 120 mins Drama, Music
The film’s authenticity is supported by several key factors. Many Deaf characters are portrayed by Deaf actors, including Lauren Ridloff and Chelsea Lee, which lends credibility and cultural accuracy. Paul Raci, though hearing, grew up in the Deaf community and is fluent in ASL, bringing lived experience to his role as a Deaf mentor. Director Darius Marder worked closely with Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, including ASL experts and CODA individuals, to ensure the film accurately represented Deaf culture and communication nuances. Riz Ahmed, who plays the protagonist Ruben, trained intensively in ASL and experienced progressive hearing loss simulation to prepare for the role. The film’s sound design innovatively immerses viewers in the protagonist’s auditory experience, including scenes with muffled or absent sound to reflect hearing loss.