Apple TV+ 'CODA' in theaters first film to have burned-in captions

Theater screenings of the Apple TV+ film "CODA" will be as accessible to deaf and hard of hearing cinema-goers, with the theatrical release including captions burned into the film print.

"CODA" follows Ruby, a young girl who is a child of deaf parents, and who acts as an interpreter for them as she is the only hearing member of her family. When Ruby discovers a talent for singing and wants to apply to the Berklee School of Music, it causes friction in her family, which depends on her for their fishing business.

The film, which won an award at the Sundance Film Festival, will be receiving a theatrical release as well as being streamed via Apple TV+. However, Reuters reports the showings in theaters will be a different affair than normal.

Typically, deaf film viewers wanting captions have to wear special glasses to see the text as they watch the film. This equipment is not always available, and in some cases can be damaged or partially unusable.

To counter this, the captions for the film will be burned into the print itself, eliminating the need for the extra equipment in theaters in the U.S. and U.K. It is claimed this will be a first for a feature film released in theaters.

"It is historic. It is huge for all us," according to actor Daniel Durant, who plays Leo in the film. "This is a day we have waited to see for so many years."

Sian Heder, the writer-director of "CODA," wanted to make sure the film would be accessible to practically anyone. "Oftentimes I think deaf people are left out of the movie-going experience because of devices that don't work and lack of devices in theaters," the director said, with the added hope it will encourage other studios to do the same, and for more deaf people to visit theaters.

"CODA" will be available to view on Apple TV+ from Friday, complete with subtitles in 36 languages.

12 Comments

mike1 3432 comments · 10 Years

About 3 years ago

This isn't the type of movie I'd see in a theater, but does that mean everyone would have to see the closed-captions on the screen? That would make it a no-go for me even if I was inclined to see it in a theater.

dcgoo 284 comments · 13 Years

AppleInsider said:

"CODA" follows Ruby, a young girl who is a child of deaf parents, and who acts as an interpreter for them as she is the only hearing member of her family. When Ruby discovers a talent for singing and wants to apply to the Berkley School of Music, it causes friction in her family, which depends on her for their fishing business.

It’s actually the Berklee School of Music, in Boston

mike1 said:

This isn't the type of movie I'd see in a theater, but does that mean everyone would have to see the closed-captions on the screen? That would make it a no-go for me even if I was inclined to see it in a theater.

Unless you are fluent in ASL (American Sign Language), I would think subtitles would be required. The story is about a Child Of Deaf Adults (CODA) and her relationship with her family. All of their dialog is silent (signed). My fear is that it will be a real tear jerker, hopefully with a happy ending.

greginprague 492 comments · 13 Years

Having lived overseas for a number of years where any English language movie is shown with local subtitles in the theater we aren’t bothered by it. Beyond that we often turn on English subtitles for movies just so we can keep the volume lower and still understand everything. It’s pretty easy to tune them out if you don’t want to read them.

smiffy31 202 comments · 12 Years

This sounds remarkably like the 2014 French film « The Bélier Family »