CODA (2021 film)

CODA (2021 film)
Name	CODA
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Sian Heder
Producer	Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi, Patrick Wachsberger
Screenplay	Sian Heder
Based on	La Famille Bélier, Éric Lartigau
Starring	Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, Daniel Durant, Eugenio Derbez
Music	Marius de Vries
Cinematography	Paula Huidobro
Editing	Geraud Brisson
Studio	Pathé, Vendôme Pictures
Distributor	Apple TV+
Released	2021, 01, 28, Sundance, 2021, 08, 13, United States
Runtime	111 minutes
Country	United States, France
Language	American Sign Language, English
Budget	$10 million
Gross	$2.1 million

CODA (2021 film) is an American coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Sian Heder. An English-language remake of the 2014 French-Belgian film La Famille Bélier, it stars Emilia Jones as Ruby Rossi, the only hearing member of a Deaf family, who pursues her passion for singing. The film features a celebrated ensemble cast including Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, and Daniel Durant as Ruby's Deaf family, with Eugenio Derbez as her choirmaster. Premiering at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, where it was acquired by Apple TV+ for a record sum, the film received widespread critical acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling and groundbreaking representation.

Plot

Ruby Rossi, a high school senior in Gloucester, Massachusetts, works each morning before school on her family's struggling fishing boat, acting as an interpreter for her Deaf parents, Frank and Jackie, and older brother, Leo. While her family depends on her for communication with the hearing world, Ruby discovers a talent for singing after joining the school choir, encouraged by her passionate teacher, Mr. V. As she prepares for an audition for the Berklee College of Music, Ruby must navigate the growing tensions between her family's needs and her own dreams, leading to a climactic performance that bridges their two worlds.

Cast

* Emilia Jones as Ruby Rossi, the hearing daughter and titular CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). * Troy Kotsur as Frank Rossi, Ruby's Deaf father, a fisherman. * Marlee Matlin as Jackie Rossi, Ruby's Deaf mother. * Daniel Durant as Leo Rossi, Ruby's Deaf older brother. * Eugenio Derbez as Bernardo "Mr. V" Villalobos, Ruby's eccentric choir teacher. * Ferdia Walsh-Peelo as Miles, Ruby's classmate and duet partner. * Amy Forsyth as Gertie, Ruby's best friend. * Kevin Chapman as Brady, a fellow fisherman and family friend.

Production

The project was developed by producer Philippe Rousselet, who secured the remake rights to La Famille Bélier. Sian Heder was hired to write and direct, undertaking extensive research by spending time with Deaf families in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The principal cast, except for Jones, are Deaf or hard-of-hearing actors. Jones learned American Sign Language and took singing lessons for nine months in preparation. Filming took place in and around Gloucester during the fall of 2019, with cinematography by Paula Huidobro and a score by Marius de Vries. The production was a collaboration between Pathé, Vendôme Pictures, and Apple TV+.

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 28, 2021, where it was met with a standing ovation. In a historic festival deal, Apple TV+ acquired global distribution rights for a record $25 million. It was released in select theaters and began streaming on the Apple TV+ platform on August 13, 2021. The film's release was accompanied by a significant promotional campaign highlighting its representation of Deaf culture.

Reception

The film received universal critical acclaim, with praise for its performances, direction, emotional weight, and authentic portrayal of Deaf culture. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 94% approval rating. Reviewers from The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and The New York Times lauded the cast, particularly Kotsur and Jones. The film's success was seen as a landmark moment for Deaf representation in mainstream Hollywood, with many critics noting the power of the scenes performed entirely in American Sign Language without audio subtitles.

Accolades

The film achieved historic success during the 94th Academy Awards season. At the Academy Awards, it won three Oscars: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur (the first Deaf male actor to win an acting Oscar), and Best Adapted Screenplay for Sian Heder. It also won the BAFTA Award for Best Film and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Kotsur's performance earned him additional awards including a Critics' Choice Movie Award and a Gotham Independent Film Award.

Category:2021 films Category:American comedy-drama films Category:American Sign Language films Category:Apple Original Films