I
try and get to subtitled shows, with my deaf son, but we have trouble
- not enough choice of times. Turnout is usually around 25, but there
have been times when its in the 50s. One West End show of Lord of the
Rings 2 had over 300 people!
Claire
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I’ve
not been to the cinema for years as I cannot follow the story. However,
when I heard about subtitled films I decided to book for the whole family
to go and see Casino Royale. My husband had already seen the film so
he said to me, "I hope you can read fast because there’s
lots of action!" Now I’m not really a James Bond fan, but
the chance to actually see a film and understand the plot was too much
to pass up.
The
film was fantastic, and whilst the subtitles were inconspicuous, they
enabled me for the first time in many years to enjoy something with
the whole family and feel totally included. As a deaf person it’s
very easy to feel excluded and isolated but the subtitled film was extremely
easy to follow, without spoiling the viewing for those who did not wish
to read the subtitles.
Mary,
Lowestoft
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My
profoundly deaf mother had given up trying to lip-read movie stars years
ago. Which was a shame. You see, every Friday, she would stand me in
the queue, regardless of the weather, to see the latest film at Letchworth’s
infamous, independent art deco cinema. Then first my mother, and then
I, lost more of our hearing and gave up being enthralled and delighted
by the movie industry. One illustrious day, however, it all changed.
Emboldened
by the yourlocalcinema.com subtitled movies newsletter, I had ventured
out and seen one of the Matrix films – subtitled at the cinema!
Oh my gosh, as the youngsters text, cinema is back! After much cajoling,
I persuaded mother to accompany me and five of her grandchildren to
see Cars. Normally this would spell two hours of utter boredom. Instead,
her eyes flickered into life… Two glorious hours, and finally
my mother and I have rekindled our cinema habit. She is now in her seventies;
I’m approaching my forties. It may have been some time coming,
but damn was it worth it.
James,
Bedford
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Audio
description is changing the world for the visually impaired in a fantastic
way. It has changed so many lives and allows that extra bit of independence
and quality of life to be reintroduced so you no longer have to feel
left out and shy away from film discussions with friends/colleagues.
I had experienced so many cinema visits but, after losing my sight four
years ago, gave up on cinema – only to discover audio description
some months later and I’ve since watched many more films.
My
favourite would have to be X-Men 3, which I long awaited, as I had seen
the previous two before I lost my sight. The cinema experience was great
and I felt just like one of the crowd as I could react with laughter
or amazement just like the other people in the cinema. The audio description
was superb and I actually felt like I had my vision back. I long for
the day when everything at the cinema and on DVD and television has
audio description.
Peter,
Oxford
::::::::::::
Action
movies are 1,000% better when I can follow the dialogue. Pirates of
the Caribbean was visually excellent but being able to understand Jack
Sparrow was impossible, you can’t lip-read him as he is always
buckling his swash. I watched Ratatouille and the subtitles were fabulous.
The next week I watched subtitled Nancy Drew with my husband –
great. Keep up the good work.
Sue,
Norwich
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I’m
deaf myself and need to rely on on-screen subtitles when it comes to
watching a film in the cinema. Having seen subtitled Beowulf, I enjoyed
it greatly as I fully understood it as any hearing person would. It
was brilliant with the clear subtitles at the bottom of the screen.
It’s totally easy to see from wherever one sits, and I don’t
have to worry about missing anything!
Louise,
Birmingham
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