Oscar-winner ‘CODA’ gets open-captioned theatrical re-release

Three-time Oscar winner “CODA” returns to cinemas with open captions after winning the coveted Best Picture award at the 2022 Oscars on Sunday.

“CODA”, featuring a predominantly deaf cast, will be available for a limited engagement in more than 600 locations beginning this Friday, April 1, and all screenings will be open-captioned to be accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing, by appointment.

“As our industry recognizes ‘CODA’ with its highest honor, we’re excited to bring this moving film back to theaters so audiences can share in the experience of watching it together,” said Erica Anderson, Apple Original Films and Apple+ Executive.

“CODA” began its run at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, where it won multiple awards including the Grand Jury Prize.

Apple bought the film for $25 million and since then it has received several awards from ceremonies, including the Critics’ Choice Awards, the BAFTAs and the SAG Awards before culminating in his Oscar win.

Returning to theaters could give the film some credit that supporters say it deserves when the film’s historic victory was overshadowed the now infamous confrontation between the slapping Will Smith and the presenter Chris Rock.

“We have a great thing about this movie, and Will Smith’s slap surpassed it,” said deaf actor Bob Hiltermann. “I’ve been searching the news for information about ‘CODA’ and all I saw everywhere was the slap.”

The film also won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Troy Kotsur and the Statue for Best Adapted Screenplay for Sian Heder.

According to a new study by Preply, a service that offers online language courses there has seen a 300% increase in searches for “learn American Sign Language” and a 600 percent increase in searches for “learn sign language online free” since winning the CODA Oscars.