Are There Any Films That Portray Deaf?
This one of the Deaf movies is titled Children of a Lesser God.
Written by Annie Kwon
I’m curious. Are they any movies that have any regards to Deaf people or culture? Children of a Lesser God is the famous one especially among the Deaf audience. It even launched Marlee Matlin into mainstream super stardom. Why don’t I see any other films like that? Can you show me?
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Brian M
I can guide to your question, you seek and there is over 100 films contain from 25% in asl and 75% voice to full asl, no voice films.
I am also founder of Deaf Channel Network, you can email me if you wish.
Thanks
ASLJART
“Love is Never Silent” That’s one
(1986 under Hallmark)
MM
There is http://www.answers.com/topic/mandy-film-1 an old Brit film about a deaf-mute daughter being taught to speak. Not a sign in the whole film….
Annie
@Brian M:
Can you give me a website about your channel and the list of the movies?
@MM:
I’m looking for any Deaf films that have Deaf people in it or made by Deaf people, not just about one person being taught to speak like Helen Keller movie.
MM
Sorry. Unfortunately us Brits are rather lacking in deaf output via films about deaf. Apart from Children of a Lesser God and Love is never silent, I don’t know of many. Both the above films were made successfuly by hearing….. we cannot seem to do that by totally focusing on the ‘Deaf’ thing. We haven’t that ‘hollywood’ touch.
RLM
Actress Marlee Matlin just was very lucky to be overly successful in the mainstream Hollywood work due to her own savvy personality and determination and right people for associating with, etc. Her dalliance with the superstar William Hurt did make much difference in her brand as an actress.
Too bad, Russell Harvard did not make any big impact in Hollywood as I would like to see him to be. Time will come for Russell Harvard since he mostly done the tv shows and minor role in the feature film.
Robert L. Mason
Michelle
Check out Spencer Hudson in Special Effects. It’s current rental with Michelle Pfeiffer and Ashton Kutcher. I was disappointed that they didn’t do more with Spencer and the dialogue with him, but that would’ve required someone on the set demanding more of the actors using sign language, I’m sure. He’s a new actor on the scene though. Hopefully he’ll do more in the future.
http://blogcritics.org/video/article/dvd-review-personal-effects-2009/
phobic
Babel, Immortal Beloved?
phobic
i’m looking for the same thing myself. be interested to hear the one’s you’ve come up with.
Deaf Artist
There are films that contains Deaf actors/actresses from ASL Films. You can go to http://www.aslfilms.com and it have a list of where they will be filming at. I would like to see about Deaf Channel Network and make this a possibility for all of us. It is unfair that the USA let Mexican have their own few channels for all Mexican viewers. So we all need to gather every friends you know and inform them about Deaf Channel Network that we can get plenty of Deaf viewers. Then USA will be full of surprise about how many Deaf viewers out there in the USA and other countries. Let’s do it!!
Drew
ASL Films has produced several feature-length films, all in ASL.
http://aslfilms.com/
Two other films I have seen recently that have some Deaf presence:
“Nashville” – Has Lily Tomlin playing the mother of two Deaf children. Has some sim-com signing. Interesting movie but mostly focuses on country music.
“There Will Be Blood” – H.W. Plainview is the son of the main character Daniel. H.W. loses his hearing in an accident early in the film and grows apart from his father who cannot accept his deafness. H.W. is played as an adult by Deaf actor Russell Harvard.
“Walker” – 1987 movie has Marlee Matlin as wife of the main character William Walker, played by Ed Harris. Matlin’s character dies early in the movie. Strange movie overall, but good. Ed Harris’s signing is poor, but good effort
BarryC
Surprised no one has mentioned “Mr. Holland’s Opus” .. I thought it depicted the struggles of parent/child relations very well… Richard Dreyfuss did a credible job as the father of a Deaf son…
DeafCinematic
Aidan Mack, Deaf filmmaker, produced a short film with sound, “I Sign and I Live.” It’s on http://www.isignilive.com.
moebius
The British did produce a good movie that had a deaf supporting character played by David Bower, “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, that starred Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell.
Another movie from France, “Read My Lips” that showed a deaf character who was able to read lips. In my opinion, a very bad movie that promoted the myth of deaf people being expert lipreaders.
gurumafukin
This message, is matchless))), it is pleasant to me
Sandy
I teach sign language as a second language for high school students. I show a number of films throughout the year. Obviously there is Children of a lesser god and Mr. Holland’s Opus. I also show Love is Never Silent, Johnny Belinda (black and white, but very good), and Wildflower. I have recently started showing two very good documentaries. Hear and Now depicts the trials of a Deaf couple pursuing cochlear implants. Through Deaf Eyes reviews Deaf culture in the U.S. VERY GOOD!
shahid
what… deaf