Time 80 minutes. It is rare for a single family to crystalize a complex social issue as thoroughly as the Artinians. The extended, close-knit Long Island clan encompasses deaf and hearing members. As such, they make a textbook laboratory to examine the ferociously emotional debate over cochlear implants explored in the Oscar-nominated documentary Sound and Fury. The implants are designed to restore hearing to the deaf, particularly children.
Many deaf people consider the implants an attack on their culture.
They do not view deafness as a problem, but a life condition to be accepted and valued. Peter and Nita Artinian, the deaf parents of three deaf children, are impassioned opponents of implants. Eventually they ended up embroiled in a conflict that almost split the family. Mari's parents, both deaf, opposed the decision vehemently. The movie skillfully highlights the complexity of the issues, as all parties friends, family and experts weigh in.