Sound and Fury (2000)

If you could make your deaf child hear, would you? Academy Award-nominated Sound and Fury follows the intimate, heart-rending tale of the Artinians, an extended family with deaf and hearing... See full summary »

Director:

Josh Aronson

Stars:

Jaime Leigh Allen, Jemma Braham, Freeda Cat

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jaime Leigh Allen	...	(voice)
Jemma Braham	...	(voice)
Freeda Cat	...	(voice)
Scott Davidson	...	Peter Artinian (voice)
Ruthanne Gereghty	...	(voice)
John Griffin	...	(voice)
Barbara Herel	...	(voice)
David Jacobs	...	(voice)
Karl Katz	...	(voice)
John Kaufman	...	(voice)
Ann Lenane	...	(voice)
Phillip Namanworth	...	(voice)
Veronica Nash	...	(voice)
Saul Nathan-Kazis	...	(voice)
Allison Weisberg	...	(voice)

Storyline

If you could make your deaf child hear, would you? Academy Award-nominated Sound and Fury follows the intimate, heart-rending tale of the Artinians, an extended family with deaf and hearing members across three generations. Together they confront a technological device that can help the deaf to hear but may also threaten deaf culture - and their bonds with each other. For Peter Artinian and his wife, both of whom are deaf, a surgical ear implant for their five-year-old daughter Heather means a choice between two worlds - an unfamiliar hearing world and the deaf world, a robust culture in its own right united by a uniquely visual and artistic language. Heather Artinian - precocious, vivacious, and avidly curious about implant surgery - is caught between her deaf parents and her hearing grandparents, as they argue passionately about her future. The debate is sometimes silent, but by no means quiet. When all is done, Sound and Fury speaks volumes about the choices we make and the battles...

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Plot Keywords:

deaf | hearing | sound | implant | deaf parent | 

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Taglines:

If you could make your deaf children hear, would you do it?

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Next Wave Films

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English American Sign Language

Release Date:

21 January 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Som e Fúria

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,104, 29 October 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$113,512, 18 March 2001

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aronson Film Associates, FilmFour, Public Policy Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Peter asks Nancy (the girl with the cochlear implant from the deaf family) if she socializes more with deaf or hearing, the voice-over says, "Mostly deaf people." However, she is actually signing, "Grandma and grandpa."

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Alternate Versions

A 60-minute version of this film is available from the Filmaker's Library.

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Soundtracks

Happy Birthday
(uncredited)
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill

User Reviews

a true portrayal of a deaf family

I am currently living with a deaf step sister and her deaf boyfriend. I have heard many times from my step mother that her daughter wanted to have a deaf child. I know that this may sound selfish, but there is reason behind it. She wanted to be able to connect with her child on the same level, the same way a hearing person would not wish to have a deaf child, there is something missing there.

When I saw this movie, I was able to see both sides of the story, it was very touching to me personally. I thought that it was so interesting the way everyone's values were in different places. This is such a good movie and it really portrays the dynamic of living in deaf household.

If you ever thought about how many ways people can be different, you should really watch this movie.