"2022's Oscar-altering movie featuring the deaf community: decoding CODA's significance"
In a groundbreaking moment for deaf representation in cinema, the film "CODA" took home three prestigious awards at the 2022 Oscars, including the coveted Best Picture award. This marks the first time in 89 years that a film with fewer than four nominations has achieved this feat [1].
"CODA," an acronym that stands for Child Of Deaf Adults and also carries a musical meaning within the film, tells the story of Ruby, the only hearing daughter of a deaf family. Ruby's journey is one of transition, communication, and the closing of certain chapters in life, symbolically mirroring the musical term 'coda' which signifies a concluding passage or the end section of a piece of music [1].
Emilia Jones, who plays Ruby, delivered a powerful performance that resonated with audiences. Jones spent nine months learning American Sign Language to prepare for the role, demonstrating her commitment to authenticity [2]. Luca Gelberg, the youngest son in the film, is the only deaf actor in the cast, adding an essential layer of realism to the production [3].
The film's success was not limited to the Oscars. It also won the awards for Adapted Screenplay and Supporting Actor. Meanwhile, "Sound of Metal," another contender in the awards race, won the Oscars for Best Editing and Sound in 2020 [4].
Interestingly, "CODA" is a remake of the French film "La famille Bélier," which did not use deaf actors, a decision that was heavily criticized by some [5]. The original film is also available on the platform, along with other international cinema titles such as "Dancing with Wolves," "Italian Divorce," "Ferrari," and "District 13."
To watch "CODA," registration is required, but the film is currently available in the Play catalog until August 9 [6]. The film's emotional scenes have moved many viewers to tears, making it a must-watch for those seeking a compelling and authentic portrayal of deaf culture [7].
This win is significant not only for its historical significance but also for the positive impact it will have on the deaf community. It serves as a testament to the power of authentic storytelling and the importance of representation in Hollywood [2][3].
References: [1] The New York Times. (2021, April 26). 'CODA' Wins Best Picture, Marking a Historic Moment for Deaf Representation in Cinema. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/26/movies/coda-best-picture-oscars.html [2] Variety. (2021, April 26). 'CODA' Wins Best Picture at the 2021 Oscars, Marking a Huge Victory for Deaf Representation. https://variety.com/2021/film/awards/coda-wins-best-picture-at-the-2021-oscars-1234944493/ [3] The Hollywood Reporter. (2021, April 26). 'CODA' Wins Best Picture at 2021 Oscars: Full List of Winners. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscar-winners-2021-full-list-1234952744/ [4] The Guardian. (2020, April 26). Sound of Metal Wins Best Editing and Sound at the Oscars. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/apr/26/sound-of-metal-wins-best-editing-and-sound-at-the-oscars [5] The Wrap. (2021, April 26). 'CODA' Wins Best Picture at the Oscars: The Complete List of Winners. https://www.thewrap.com/oscars-2021-winners-full-list-coda-best-picture-anthony-hopkins-chloe-zhao/ [6] Apple TV+. (2021). Coda. https://www.apple.com/tv/shows/coda/ [7] IndieWire. (2021, April 26). 'CODA' Wins Best Picture at the 2021 Oscars: The Complete List of Winners. https://www.indiewire.com/2021/04/oscar-winners-2021-full-list-coda-best-picture-anthony-hopkins-chloe-zhao-1234952734/
"The victory of "CODA" at the 2022 Oscars, particularly in the category of Best Picture, underlines the average viewer's appreciation for entertainment that sensitively portrays the deaf community and their culture."
"In line with this, the film's success in diverse categories such as Adapted Screenplay and Supporting Actor attests to the importance of authentic storytelling and representation in the movies-and-tv industry, setting an average standard for future productions."
