Oscar winning director Chloe Zhao and Disney’s Marvel will introduce the first deaf superhero in the latest entry to into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Eternals.
“There are more than 15 million adults in the U.S. with a hearing disability and enjoying a movie in theatres often has been cumbersome due to less than satisfactory experiences with limited accessibility options in theatres. We hope the expansion of open caption screenings led by the release of Eternals marks the beginning of a more inclusive moviegoing experience for all,” said Delbert Whetter, deaf producer and RespectAbility board vice chair.
To ensure that the hearing impaired can also enjoy seeing themselves on the big screen, Gold Open is sponsoring an official fundraiser for donations to provide open caption screenings for the hearing impaired. You can donate at GoFundMe.com/Eternals.
Gold Open is an Asian Pacific Islander non-profit dedicated to socio-economic equality and diversity and representation in the movie industry.
It’s also joined with the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment or CAPE to launch One Open to elevate the authentically diverse characters in Eternals and to ensure its opening weekend success.
The movie opens in theatres on November 5.
“The paths to greater, more authentic representation are similar. It’s incumbent on all of us to celebrate the elements we’re proud of while also critiquing where we need growth–together. We account for over 50% of the box office, are the fastest-growing populations in the U.S., and make up a majority of the world. And yet, these truths are not reflected in the entertainment we consume. One Open forms a singular, unified strength that rebalances representation to be more inclusive, more affirming, and everywhere,” said Bing Chen, President of Gold House.
Gold House will host two #OneOpen Premieres in partnership with CAPE, Color of Change, NALIP and RespectAbility with the film’s cast and over 1500 super-VIPs in Los Angeles and New York City.
The latest Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study reported that only 34.3% of all speaking characters in top films were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups. Even more dire, only 1.4% were LGBTQ and 2.3% were depicted with a disability.
The Eternals are ancient aliens secretly living on Earth for thousands of years. Picking up after Avengers: Endgame, they come out of hiding to reunite and defend humankind from the Deviants. It stars Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, with Kit Harington, with Salma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie.
Visit GoldOpen.com/One-Open to learn more about the Marvel Studios’ Eternals One Open.
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