For an offbeat, content-oriented film which usually does not fit into the typical Hollywood modus operandi, Apple TV Plus online streaming platform has reportedly won the bid for a whopping $25 million for acclaimed drama film ‘CODA’.
The multiple award-winning film was a critics’ darling in the 2021 Sundance film festival, which was conducted virtually.
Sian Heder, who made her feature film directorial debut with the 2016 dramedy ‘Tallulah’ (starring Elliot Page), has directed the profound and emotional drama ‘CODA’, which stands for Child of Deaf Adults.
A remake of the 2014 French film ‘The Belier Family’, ‘CODA’ features Emilia Jones in the titular role of a teenage girl, who is compelled to choose between helping her deaf family in their fishing family business and pursuing her own singing career. The film also features Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, and Daniel Durant in prominent roles.
If marketed well by Apple, the heart-warming film has the potential to yield rich dividends for the streaming platform in the future, owing to the film’s capacity for ubiquitous acceptance from a diverse audience. Another differentiating factor for the film is that it has cast real-life deaf actors playing reel-life deaf characters.
Interestingly, several other Hollywood filmmakers have previously effectuated similarly themed subjects in acclaimed films.
For instance, in one of its narratives, Alejandro González Iñárritu had cast a Japanese hearing actress to portray a deaf girl’s character in his critically acclaimed film ‘Babel’ (starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett).
Furthermore, Edgar Wright’s action film ‘Baby Driver’ featured the character of a hearing-impaired driver (played by Ansel Elgort). The film also starred Kevin Spacey and Jon Hamm.
Some notable Indian filmmakers had also adeptly executed the sensitive subject in their films. One such film was Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Black’, which followed a deaf-blind-mute woman’s (played by Rani Mukerji) beautiful relationship with his teacher (played by Amitabh Bachchan).
Further, Nagesh Kukunoor’s brilliant sports film ‘Iqbal’ revolved around a deaf and mute villager’s dream to play for the Indian cricket team. The film featured Shreyas Talpade and Naseeruddin Shah in the lead roles.
Last but definitely not the least Indian film on the list is the celebrated filmmaker Gulzar’s 1972 film ‘Koshish’. It was a landmark film featuring Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bachchan as a deaf and mute couple and their endearing struggle to overcome their disability with great courage and determination.
‘CODA’ is reportedly targeting a simultaneous hybrid release on Apple TV Plus streaming platform alongside a theatrical release on August 13, 2021.
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