Sound of Metal is a 2019 American drama film directed and co-written by Darius Marder. The film stars Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci, Lauren Ridloff, and Mathieu Amalric.
The film was critically acclaimed and was listed on 52 film critics’ top-ten lists for 2020. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It was also nominated for and won numerous other awards, particularly for Ahmed’s lead performance.
Keeping at bay his inner demons by devoting himself to art, metal drummer, Ruben, has been living for the moment for the past four years. Then, while on tour with his lead-singer/girlfriend, Lou, Ruben realizes that his hearing is rapidly deteriorating. As this sudden hearing loss turns his world upside down, and numbing fear paired with angry denial take over, Ruben reluctantly accepts to join a small deaf community overseen by Joe, a compassionate Vietnam War veteran. Now, Ruben needs to find some solid ground, understand that being deaf is not a handicap and that deafness isn’t something to fix. But, is Ruben willing to accept his new life and learn how to be deaf? This movie is a beautiful example of how one meets loss which ultimately helps him to uncover who he is on this wild journey.
The link to a playsheet designed to facilitate contemplative movie watching of the Sound of Metal: Click Here
Jackie Greggs led the Movie Group discussion.
