Sound and Fury

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Sound and Fury

Released Jan 1, 2000

1h 0m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Cousins Heather and Peter Artinian -- ages 6 and almost 2, respectively -- are deaf. Their condition could be changed by a cochlear implant, a device that stimulates hearing. The benefits are obvious, but this documentary focuses on why the children's families face a tough decision. There are concerns about how the device will change the recipient's relationship with deaf culture and whether there can ever be a true connection between those who hear sounds and those who hear only silence.

Critics Consensus

This documentary presents its opposing views in an even-handed yet emotionally engaging manner. Critics say it will provoke much thought, as well as emotions, in the audience.

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: A

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Kimberley Jones

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3/5

Mar 10, 2003

Full Review

John Zebrowski

Seattle Times

This is not a film to watch passively.

Mar 12, 2001

Full Review

Vadim Rizov

Filmmaker Magazine

These are some of the most painful family arguments that have been ethically captured and are unusually necessary to watch.

Jan 24, 2023

Full Review

B. Ruby Rich

San Francisco Bay Guardian

This is an intensely riveting, eye-and ear-opening journey into the culture of the deaf -- and the political battles unleashed there by the latest technological wonder.

Feb 26, 2020

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Sep 6, 2005

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spencer p

Emotionally explosive and rightfully even-handed, this is a timeless and universal documentary (for all the hearing world) that opens the gates between two worlds and presents mankind with a heavy question all parents must ask themselves.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wildly articulate, intelligent and highly emotional without being volatile, this film gives voice to the options surrounding cochlear implants and it's threatening effect perceived by the deaf community. Wonderfully personal and intimate; profoundly, deeply moving, see vulnerable people open up about their experiences. On the DVD, see the extra 20 min of extra interviews which gives even more insight - an example of someone who rejected the implant, and another who had difficulty and yet embraced it. I also recommend finding the 2013-14 TEDtalk of Heather Artinian - the central little girl of the doc - who speaks about what she has learned since, and her brilliant philosophy she's developed bc of her experiences. Brilliant, illuminating, authentic and ultimately inspiring. 5 out of 5

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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Audience Member

Judge not, lest ye be judged...

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

I loved this documentary. It goes into the life of two related families who are both trying to decide whether their children should receive a cochlear implant. One family has two hearing parents (the mom was brought up by two deaf parents) who have twins and find out that one of them is deaf. While the other family has two deaf parents who have a daughter who asks them if she can receive an implant. While the movie itself can get very frustrating because you're only seeing one family circle where all the parents are putting their wishes on their children, it is so emotional and thought-provoking. For me, it was the first time that I was exposed to this idea of deaf culture and the deaf community. I really enjoyed the amount of emotion that this movie conveys, and I just wish it could've spread out this story to cover more than just these two families.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

good almost doc like quality i never knew this place existed

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Although using voice overs for the deaf subjects trivializes their deafness (which is what much of their character motivations come from), SOUND AND FURY is still a fascinating, evenhanded documentary that wisely provides us with no easy answers to the provocative questions it raises.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

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Josh Aronson

Director

Jaime Leigh Allen

Voice

Scott Davidson

Voice

Ruthanne Gereghty

Voice

John Griffin

Voice

Barbara Herel

Voice

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Synopsis

Cousins Heather and Peter Artinian -- ages 6 and almost 2, respectively -- are deaf. Their condition could be changed by a cochlear implant, a device that stimulates hearing. The benefits are obvious, but this documentary focuses on why the children's families face a tough decision. There are concerns about how the device will change the recipient's relationship with deaf culture and whether there can ever be a true connection between those who hear sounds and those who hear only silence.

Director: Josh Aronson
Producer: Roger Weisberg
Distributor: UNAPIX Entertainment, Artistic License
Production Co: Aronson Film Associates, Next Wave Films, FilmFour, WNET Thirteen, Public Policy Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 2000, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 24, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $113.5K
Runtime: 1h 0m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)

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