Universal Signs (2008)

Director:

Ann Calamia

Writer:

Ann Calamia (writer)

Release Date:

2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Captioned for the hearing

Plot:

After the death of his fiancée's daughter while in his care, a deaf man shuts himself off from the world. Haunted by memories, it is only through new friendship that he can learn to forgive, love, and reconnect. |

Plot Keywords:

Friendship | Love | Death | Date | Foreplay

Cast

Anthony Natale	...	Andrew
Sabrina Lloyd	...	Mary
Lupe Ontiveros	...	Claire
Margot Kidder	...	Rose Callahan
Robert Picardo	...	Father Joe
Aimee Garcia	...	Trish
Robert Hogan	...	Mr. Callahan
Troy Kotsur	...	Chris
Deanne Bray	...	Natalie
Ashlyn Sanchez	...	Katie
Robert DeMayo	...	The Peddler
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Barbara Bradley	...	Sister Margaret
Angus Campbell	...	Sean
Daniella Canterman	...	Carissa
Deanna Canterman	...	Larissa
Katherine Catanakis	...	Office Girl #2
Brian T. Delaney	...	Police Officer
Jared Delaney	...	Delivery Man
Rayna Favinger	...	Woman with baby
Denise A. Logan	...	Twin's Mom
Amanda Lynch	...	Office Girl #1
Helene Masiko-Crews	...	Waitress
Brian Matthews	...	Convenience Store Man
Helene McNutt	...	Convenience Store Woman
David Mulholland	...	Boss
Beau Munoz	...	EMT #2
Enrique Pinerua	...	EMT #1
Thomas Place	...	Security Guard
Pete Postiglione	...	Store Clerk
Kaitlyn Sutton	...	Alter Server
H. Michael Walls	...	Conductor
Susan Wilder	...	Librarian

Country:

USA

Language:

American Sign Language

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Drexel University - 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Universal Signs Productions LLC

Trivia:

The museum exterior scene takes place at the University of the Arts' main building, Hamilton Hall. This is the original location of the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

I love when hearing people are mainstreamed into the deaf world

I love when hearing people are mainstreamed into the deaf world. Watching an entire movie of people signing was an amazing experience. It's just about impossible to find movies in ASL. I've tried to find ASL presentations of fairy tales for children, but have only gotten Deaf storytellers relating the story as if they were reading a book. (Has anyone figured out yet that Deaf toddlers can't read captions on cartoons?)

I can't disagree with Mr. McGonigle's points on plot weakness. However, I've often heard film critics refer to a movie as "important." IMNSHO, there aren't a whole lot of "important" movies. This is one of them. Breaking the language barrier for an under-served group is a marvelous event. There are live plays performed in ASL, but they're not as accessible as a movie. If you don't live nearby or can't afford it, you miss out.

I hope to see many more ASL films available in the near future. Plot quality is sure to improve.