“Barbie” with ASL event; Interview with Leila Hanaumi
Streaming service Max hosted a special community screening of “Barbie” on December 14 in Los Angeles to celebrate and promote its addition of an ASL interpreter as an option for viewers on Max.
[Full-screen screenshots of “Barbie” with the ASL interpreter Leila Hanaumi] Credit: Warner Bros. / Max
“Barbie” actress Margot Robbie and the Deaf interpreter/performer, Leila Hanaumi, were the stars of the event and provided commentary on a stage.
[Images of Margot Robbie and Leila Hanaumi at the event] Credit: Warner Bros. / Max
[Video clip showing Robbie and Hanaumi signing, “Barbie”] Credit: Instagram/todayiawaken
[First video clip showing part of the panel discussion. Hanaumi is thanking Robbie for wanting this film to be accessible to the Deaf community.] Credit: Instagram/brittanimedina_
Leila was willing to answer two questions.
[Begin interview]
Alex: You got an opportunity to interpret this film and it’s been released. You’re not the first as there were a few others in the past. I’m wondering what you see as the future of this “industry” with Deaf people working as interpreters for major films?
Leila Hanaumi: Yes, one of the films that provided ASL access was “Ant-Man.” The Deaf ASL interpreter for that film is Jac Cook. Cook ended up being my ASL coach for “Barbie.”
[Full-screen image of Cook and Hanaumi at the screening event] Credit: Instagram/todayiawaken
Hanaumi: We both had a chat and we can already see a major improvement from Cook’s experience to my experience. The industry is learning what this process looks like, what kinds of support are needed, and how to best prepare. My experience has been really positive. “Barbie” was the biggest film of 2023. They provided ASL access at the same time it started streaming on Max. They didn’t make it an afterthought — they planned this in advance and were ready to release both at the same time. Not only this, they hosted this in-person screening for the community with Margot Robbie. She’s not just the “Barbie” figure because she’s a co-producer of this film. She took the time to show up. That, to me, shows that the industry and the world are starting to really understand who the Deaf community is. What we need. How to work together. It’s inspiring to see. I predict that “Barbie” will set the golden standard for future films. Other successful films will also provide ASL accessibility. That means any Deaf person and signers, in general, can watch it and enjoy it with a full experience of accessibility.
[Second video clip showing part of the panel discussion. Robbie tells Hanaumi that sometimes you need to take things in your own hands. The audience does the Deaf applause (hand waving)] Credit: Instagram/brittanimedina_
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Alex: I’m sure you watched “Barbie” when it was released in the summer. What kind of impact did the film have on you?
Hanaumi: Actually, I didn’t watch the film when it was released last summer. I did get tickets to watch it in a theater but I had a conflict so I gave it to someone else. Then I got this opportunity to interpret for “Barbie!” So I needed to watch it. They sent me the film and after I watched it, my biggest takeaway is that “Barbie” is not just a movie. It is a beautiful love letter to women. It is a really powerful message about what it means to be human, versus being a doll. Who we really are inside. So this kind of movie, with its powerful message, should be watched by everyone. And ponder what it means to us. Now that this film is ASL accessible, it means that the Deaf community is a part of this conversation and not left out and ignored. So I’m really thrilled to be a part of this.
[End interview]
Thank you so much, Leila, for your time and sharing your thoughts on the film and ASL access in general.
You can watch “Barbie” with ASL on Max. You can also watch “Ant-Man” with ASL on Disney+.