CODA Film Review: Part 1

​AppleTV+ introduces CODA...
​as "the feel-good movie of the summer and the most awarded film in Sundance history.

As a CODA (child of deaf adults), Ruby is the only hearing person in her home. When she discovers a passion for singing, Ruby must choose between family obligations and her dreams."

This is part one of my review of CODA. Not sure yet how many parts there will be at this point...being concise has never been my strong suit. As we say in the Deaf/Coda community, I must share A to Z (I'm going to do my best to cover the themes and moments that resonated with me).

FAIR WARNING...there are many lines portrayed in this review, so SPOILER ALERT!

I recommend watching the film, prior to reading this review, so that my review does not influence your feelings or perspectives of the film.
​
One of the glaring issues that exist with the film is the title. "CODA," without an actual Coda in the movie. I have seen members of the Coda community who have shared on social media that they are boycotting the film due to this reason.

However, as a Coda, especially as one who's primary work is with Codas...
I felt the need to view the film and look at what themes resonated, and reflect on my experiences as a Coda.

As Marlee Matlin stated in one of her interviews, the Rossi family does not represent all American Deaf families, but represents one story that may have common threads for the Deaf/Coda community.

Identity, Intersectionality, Inequality, & Inclusion...

These are themes that I have utilized in the past to reclaim my experience as a Coda. Before I go forward with my review, I want to provide some details as to who I am.

I am a Coda, a child of Deaf adults, an immigrant's daughter, who grew up in rural California and Oregon. I also went to a private Christian school for my secondary schooling, which told me that they could not hire interpreters because they were a non-profit organization. And while I had older siblings, they were my half brothers and did not interpret for my parents. I was the sole broker/interpreter for my parents from 7 years old until high school, except in some rare situations. Financially, we often struggled because my father was ill for many years before he passed, and my immigrant mother did her best to support us by often working nights stocking shelves at stores, or cleaning rooms at local hotels. And while I do identify as a Caucasian cisgender female, I also identify as a Jewish, Italian American a millennial, and able-bodied individual. As far as education, I have degrees in sign language interpreting, Social Science, and interpreting studies & communication equity. Professionally, I work as a sign language interpreter, interpreter trainer, and education specialist that often works with Coda students seeking to become professional interpreters. This whole part of my "intro" by the way is a VERY hearing way of introducing myself. Hearing culture is often obsessed with academia and achievements. So...

To honor the Deaf part of my culture, I share with you the names of my parents, the names of my Deaf teachers and mentors because we often want to see who within our community and group where we can connect. My Deaf parents are Ivone McAlister, Mark McAlister (step-father), and Anthony Caloroso Jr (bio father). In college, I had several teachers and mentors, but for now, I will name just three: Patrick Fischer, Octavian Robinson, and Wendy Harbour. There are many more, yet this post is less about my background and more about what themes in the CODA film resonated with me. Here we go!​

"Socially Challenged"

Like Ruby, the "Coda" that was portrayed by Emilia Jones, I too was bullied by peers because of my Deaf parents. Not only did students mock them, but made fun of me for the way I signed or hugged every student at the beginning of each day. However, one moment that made me smile was how Ruby signed in her sleep in class, I did this throughout my childhood. And even today, I sign thoughts to myself because it is my native language. I also call it my "heart language."

Politeness & Loud Music
"You stink." This made me laugh because it wasn't until my first Deaf culture class at Community College that I finally understood that my mom wasn't being rude when she said things like this. Some cultures are more direct than others. Deaf culture is more direct than hearing culture and it's often because they don't need any further "ambiguity" or levels of politeness to obscure communication. My mom said things like this, all the time, because she was showing that she cared. Understanding Deaf culture taught me that clear, direct communication and transparency = love!

My whole ass is vibrating!
YES! This also made me laugh out loud!
My step-father always has the music or sound turned way up in the car or house because he has some residual hearing and he enjoys the vibration too!

Codas = Negotiators
While K/Codas are not interpreters, they often benefit from the experience of being child language brokers, it provides them with incredible experiences that give them skill in negotiating and mediating the differences in culture & language.

Codas ≠ Interpreters
So to clarify one point, Ruby is NOT an interpreter. She has no professional training or interpreting experience outside of communicating on behalf of her family. This is known as being a child language broker (CLB). Much research has shown that language brokers like Ruby's character often "filter" the message as they negotiate their comfort level and navigate the differences in the cultures they are in. 

Sign languages = Visual!
Yes! Sign language is a visual language that is often more direct, therefore, the vocabulary and examples are often more explicit  

All people get frustrated...
This is a universal theme, at least from my experience, regardless of intersectionality, identity...we all have moments where we become frustrated and vent. One question that I often would get asked by peers who did not understand Deaf culture or my childhood, do your Deaf parents yell? Um, YES! Of course they did and still do! Just like any other parent who might be frustrated with a child or with a situation. Mine just happen to use sign language, and on some occasions their voice. Deaf, Coda, or hearing, we are all human individuals with a full range of emotions.
​

Have a second?
Actually, no!? I have friends, plans, or a birthday party to go to. However, my dad was ill and needed an organ transplant throughout many years of my childhood, I had to make several calls. Especially, if there was something medically relevant. However, even if I had school, or a birthday party to attend, I had to cancel because I was expected to interpret because we lived in a rural area with no interpreters for at least 50 miles. I wish we could have had VRS back in my day and I could have been like Ruby and assert that they call for themselves. We had TTYs, which required written English and just like communication via texting today, has its limitations. No emotion could be shared through the TTY, as well as not being able to interrupt when one wanted to. And for my mom, English is her 4th language, so the TTY was not a preferred method of communication.

Interpreters & Vulnerability
Having personal conversations through interpreters is NOT always ideal. And it is ALWAYS a choice that Deaf individuals make. Millios (2018) shares how interpreters have incredible access and impact on the lives of Deaf people. And the amount of trust and vulnerability that it requires can often be overwhelming and at times, their lives are in the hands of novice interpreters. Deaf people have the right to an interpreter when they want and when they DON'T want an interpreter.  

The only way people thought I was cool...
I lost count how many times my peers and my friends asked me how to sign some dirty word or concept. THIS IS a common theme among Codas and it is one that I still have to put up with from time to time. When people not affiliated with the Deaf community find out that my parents are Deaf, the first reaction is often pity. First off, no need for pity! I, like many other Codas, are DAMN proud of having Deaf parents...they are our family, sign language and Deaf culture are our heritage, and we celebrate the many nuances of being in a home where we navigate both hearing and Deaf culture.

After the initial pity reaction, then people often move on to the stage of curiosity... what did you do when you ran out of toilet paper in the bathroom? What if you broke a bone and screamed out for help? Do you parents drive? (UM, YES, please stop asking this question!). Do your parents read? (YES! Please also stop asking this question!). Okay, you can ask those questions... but honestly, they just make you seem completely clueless about Deaf people!
​
Once the initial questioning and answer session was nearly over, then my friends or peers would say, "Wait! How do you sign #&*$&^?" [insert any swear word or sexual concepts here]. And like, Ruby, I would resist, but finally I would give in because I knew that if I did, they would think I was cool and a little less socially awkward!​

My mother and I during her first Washington ferry ride last month (July 2021).

More to come!
If I were to write on my thoughts about the entire CODA movie, I'd be here for several more hours. However, dinner is calling and I need a break from my computer...

​So more to come later this week! 

Stay tuned for part 2! 

I'd love to know if you noticed some of the same themes and if you had similar experiences, please share in the comments below!