Watch Sound and Fury

Sound and Fury is an award-winning documentary film directed by Josh Aronson. It tells the story of two American families, the Artinians and the Nevers, who are grappling with the decision of whether or not to have cochlear implants for their deaf children. The Artinians are a middle-class family residing in Long Island, New York. They already have a deaf daughter, Heather, who is a candidate for a cochlear implant. Heather's parents, Peter and Nita Artinian, are excited about the prospect of their daughter getting the implant, as they believe it will give her the gift of hearing and improve her quality of life. However, Peter's parents, Bob and Jackie Artinian, are deaf, and they are strongly opposed to Heather getting the implant. They believe that being deaf is not a disability or something that needs to be fixed. The conflict between the Artinians highlights the debate between the deaf community and those who see deafness as something that needs to be cured.

The Nevers are a working-class family residing in rural Tennessee. They have two deaf sons, Peter and Chris, who are both candidates for cochlear implants. The Nevers, particularly the boys' father, Gene, are enthusiastic about the implants and view them as a way to give their sons the chance to live a normal life. However, Gene's wife, Denise, is struggling with the decision. She worries about the risks involved in the procedure and wonders if her sons will lose their identity as members of the deaf community if they get the implants.

Sound and Fury follows both families over several months as they consult with doctors and engage in heated debates about the advantages and disadvantages of cochlear implants. The film also features interviews with various professionals, including audiologists and linguists, who provide different perspectives on deafness and cochlear implants. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to get the implants rests with the children themselves.

What makes Sound and Fury so compelling is its ability to give a voice to both sides of the debate. The film is balanced and objective in its approach, presenting the arguments of the Artinians and Nevers without passing judgment. It is also a deeply personal film, as we see the emotional toll that the decision takes on both families. We witness the frustration and fear of the parents, as well as the confusion and anxiety of the children.

The film is also a fascinating examination of language and identity. The deaf community has its own unique culture and language, and many within the community view cochlear implants as a threat to that identity. Sound and Fury explores these issues by interviewing deaf adults and children who have chosen not to get implants. It also raises important questions about the nature of language and whether or not it can be taught as a second language.

In addition to its subject matter, Sound and Fury is a technically impressive film. The cinematography is beautiful, capturing the natural beauty of both Long Island and rural Tennessee. The film also features a haunting score that perfectly complements the emotional weight of the story.

Sound and Fury was widely praised upon its release, receiving numerous awards and accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature. It is a powerful and moving film that raises important questions about disability, identity, and diversity. While it is primarily focused on the topic of cochlear implants, its themes are universal and will resonate with anyone who has ever grappled with a life-changing decision.

Sound and Fury is a 2000 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 85.