While much of the discussion surrounding movies in 2021 seems to be dictated by the topic of the pandemic — such as whether or not movie theaters can bounce back, and whether or not the movie theater experience will be preserved alongside the continuing rise of streaming platforms — there is still a positive trend that this year’s movies demonstrate, specifically for deaf representation.
While The Sound of Metal was widely released in theaters and on Amazon Prime Video at the end of 2020, much of its success and notoriety carried over into 2021 during the awards circuit, culminating in the film’s Oscar nominations, and Oscar wins in Best Editing and Best Sound. Following a rock drummer’s (Riz Ahmed) journey through hearing loss, The Sound of Metal showcases a supporting cast of deaf actors alongside Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, and Paul Raci.
Source: Eternals, A Quiet Place II Showcase Positive Deaf Representation in 2021