Interview with CODA International Inc. about “CODA” film
The “CODA” film that was recently released on Apple TV+ and in theaters featured three deaf actors in three major roles, but the leading role of the Coda daughter, Ruby Rossi, was cast by a hearing actress who does not have a deaf family member.
The actress, Emilia Jones, told the “Los Angeles Times” that she worked with a deaf ASL coach for almost a year prior to filming and that she worked with deaf ASL masters on set.
I took the opportunity to reach out and ask Abby Long, the president of CODA International Inc., some questions about the film.
CODA International was founded in 1983 and aims to connect Codas around the world through conferences, retreats, and publications.
I asked Long what kinds of responses to the “CODA” film she’s seen from the Coda community.
Abby Long, CODA International President:
In the CODA community, the response to the film has been mostly positive. There is a spectrum of course, I’ve seen some say “CODA” is not their life at all and would just watch it as a movie. Others say the movie is exactly like their lives. Most Codas have been in between the two. Many of us can relate well with the movie and many said they laughed or cried during the movie for the different feelings that the movie causes. Codas have been disappointed that a Coda actress was not chosen and with the accuracy of the scenes, but the overwhelming response has been positive.
Alex: Long said she felt the “CODA” film was based on some old-fashioned ways such as Ruby interpreting in medical or courtroom settings.
Long: Of course, Ruby’s story is that she is the interpreter. She is the one who can hear. But many Deaf people, Codas and advocates have fought hard for many years to prevent that from happening... And many continue to work towards changing that. Now how many people will think it is okay for Codas to interpret such settings after seeing the film?
Alex: Long said she was tired of seeing the idea that music causes conflicts or division between Codas and their family.
Long: Using “music” as a way to divide Ruby and her deaf family is really old news. We are tired of it. The Coda experience is varied and music is not integral to many of our stories and experiences. We do understand that this film is for hearing audiences and it is easier to get emotion from hearing people when deaf (hearing loss) is juxtaposed with music. It is emotional and we understand that, but using deaf and music is very old news.
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Alex: Long said there is a good number of Coda people involved in the film industry and hopes they can develop Coda-related stories in the future.
Long: As a board member, I encourage and support efforts to expand the number of our coda stories. We have CODA filmmakers, visual artists, photographers and actors. Codas have many stories to share.
Thank you, Abby Long, for your time and for being willing to provide CODA International’s thoughts and perspectives on the “CODA” film. She encouraged people to go to coda-international.org to learn more about the organization and to support them.