Deaf Movies/TV series
It’s binge watching season! With the colder weather here, we’re starting to stay indoors more. Ever since the blog I wrote about the movie ‘CODA’ last summer, many have asked if there were more Deaf movies/TV shows. I’m finally here to give you the scoop!
Deaf movies to watch:
Children of a Lesser God (1986)
This is probably the most well known deaf movie. Marlee Matlin, a deaf actress, won the Academy Award for her role. It is about a new speech teacher who fell in love with a deaf janitor while working at a deaf institute. He pursues her to use her voice/learn speech as she wasn’t verbal. This is a good movie, but really focuses on speech/oral aspect of deafness. It’s also ‘based’ in New England (but actually was filmed in Canada)!
Sound of Metal (2019)
A powerful movie! It follows the journey of a rock band drummer who lost his hearing. It showed how he was in a hurry to find a quick ‘fix’ or cure. While he was re-adjusting to his life without hearing, he was immersed in a small deaf community in which he learned about the deaf culture. I thought this movie was perfect for people who are stuck in both worlds! I also loved how the deafness was portrayed as a culture, not a physical disability in the movie.
Audible (2021) Netflix
This short 40 minutes documentary focuses on a deaf football player at Maryland School for the Deaf. It shows clips of his life as an athlete, a friend who lost someone to suicide and being a teenager. It also interviewed some other deaf people. The documentary captured a lot of moments showing what it feel like to be immersed in the deaf world.
…and Your Name is Jonah (1979)
The deaf boy had been misdiagnosed so he was institutionalized with intellectually disabled. It shows the journey of the deaf boy adjusting to living with his family. This movie is a great example of language deprivation.
The Hammer (2010)
A biography/drama/sports movie about Matt Hamill, the first deaf wrestler to win a NCAA. It followed his youth years in Ohio, discovering wrestling then his success during college. I was particularly excited when this was released back in 2011 because he is a RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) alumni. Go Tigers! I really enjoyed this movie, which had many deaf actors/actresses! The movie also was filmed through out Rochester, NY. It is one of my favorite deaf movies.
A Quiet Place (2018)
A horror/sci-fic movie about a family living in silence to hide from monsters with ultra-sensitive hearing. One of the family member is a deaf girl so the entire family uses sign language to communicate. Horror/Sci-Fic is NOT my genre at all, but I had to watch this movie. I felt like it was more suspenseful thriller but enjoyed it a lot! The girl is played by a deaf actress, Millicent Simmonds. Also, A Quiet Place II was released this year, but I haven’t seen it yet!
Sound and Fury (2000)
A wonderful documentary showing the controversial of cochlear implants. It shows the conflict of deaf identity and struggling to belong. Definitely worthwhile to watch!
Sweet Nothing in my Ear (2008)
Another movie about cochlear implants. It is a family drama about a hearing man and his deaf wife (played by Marlee Matlin) who are conflicted on whether their deaf son should get the cochlear implants. This showed all sides/opinions.
Born to be Wild (1995)
This may not be classified as a ‘deaf movie’ but sign language is included. It’s a kid-friendly movie of a gorilla learning sign language to communicate. The gorilla develops a relationship with a rebel teenager and they communicate using ASL. It is a cute and heartwarming movie!
Listen to Your Heart (2010)
One of my favorites! Ironically it is music-based movie which I try to avoid. A singer fell in love with a deaf girl, but the love inspires him to write music. It is a romantic drama movie, but it shows that nothing is impossible!
If you want to binge on TV series. There are some recommendations:
Deaf U (2020) Netflix
A reality series following several deaf students at Gallaudet University in Washington DC. I felt like I was watching ‘Real World’ on MTV but with deaf college students! I do have to warn, this series is unfiltered.
Switched at Birth (2011-2017)
A drama series starting out with a hearing girl who found out that she was accidentally switched when she was a baby. She meets the other baby that she was switched with, which was a deaf girl. They both immersed into each other’s lives. A lot of deaf culture and aspects are portrayed in the show. A fun and worthwhile series to binge!
Deaf Out Loud (2018)
Only 1 season, this documentary follows around three deaf families. I am so, so, so sad that more seasons were not signed for this show. I loved it! It showed a variety of deaf identities, how all deaf people aren’t the same and different opinions. If you want a glimpse of true deaf world, this is the show to watch. Also, one of the deaf families is based in Connecticut!
Sue Thomas FB Eye (2002-2005)
A police-drama TV series following a deaf FBI agent who works in fingerprinting. Another agent noticed her lip reading skills promoting her to an elite surveillance team. This is inspired by Sue Thomas, a deaf woman who works for FBI so this show is loosely based on her life.
There are many more that I haven’t seen yet. I have a long list of movies to watch! Hope you enjoy some of those and let me know what you think!