Good Movie Review On Through Deaf Eyes

The movie, “Through Deaf Eyes” is a very touching story about how several individuals learned they were deaf, and coped with the life without sound. The documentary peers into deaf culture through the 19th century to the present. It attempts to show how deaf individuals felt, what they went through, and how they were treated as well as how they are treated now. The documentary aims to celebrate the culture and create an environment of awareness. Though there was not much understanding of these individuals to begin with, they are a strong culture now, with many things to offer society.
The documentary featured prominent members of the deaf community such as I. King Jordan, who is Gallaudet University President. The university is the only one of its kind that offers services catering specifically to those who are deaf. “Through Deaf Eyes” also featured actress Marlee Matlin, who is a common figurehead in the deaf community. Many other interviews include historians, experts on lives as a deaf America, community leaders, and deaf Americans themselves. Each attempted to offer their personal views on things like technology and identity. The documentary remains autonomous to the affliction of being deaf. Unlike its predecessors, it does not become sentimental over these individual’s and their deafness, not does it proclaim how they overcame anything. Rather it continuously celebrates their existence simply for that, existing. They are deaf, but they are also human, and that is what is most important.
“Through Deaf Eyes” does not contain any individuals who feel sorry for themselves, as one might think they would. They refer to themselves as Deaf with a capital D. They are a culture unto themselves, but they remain connected to the rest of society. Somehow the documentary manages to share the unique experiences of what it means to be Deaf while still maintaining the overwhelming connection we all share as humans. This person cannot hear; this person can, and yet we are still somehow the same. It appears that the driving force of the film is that we have all struggled; the Deaf culture has just struggled in a different way. What is more is that they do not pity themselves, nor do they ask for pity. Some of their stories are sad, but some are also humorous and heartwarming. Hearing Carolyn McCaskill’s story about getting her Name Sign was particularly touching, but also very humanizing. Carolyn’s Name Sign was linked to the fact that she swayed her hips in a sassy, confident way when she walked; this is not indicative of the typical stereotype most people have in their minds of deaf individuals. I think it is important for people to see that even those who cannot hear are still confident, playful, fun, and jovial as Carolyn. Too many people think that if you are born with something wrong with you or if something happens that causes an injury, such as hearing impairment, you spend the rest of your life sad and alone.
I found “Through Deaf Eyes” to be very eye-opening. Deaf culture is one to be admired. Aside from not being able to hear, Deaf individuals are just like any other person that we meet. They experience a full range of emotions, and though they have seen struggle, they have also seen peace and joy. Their culture has experienced many ups and downs, much like any other culture. “Through Deaf Eyes” showed that the struggles and triumphs have made them stronger and that, at their core, they are no different from anybody else.