In this clip from the 1994 movie Four Weddings and a Funeral, David objects at his brother Charles’ wedding. David (played by deaf actor David Bower) is deaf and does not speak during the film. At first he bangs on the pew to get attention, and then signs to his brother, which the captions translate as “I thought of a third option… Will you translate? I think the groom is having doubts. I suspect the groom would like to delay. I think the groom really loves someone else. That’s true, isn’t it Charles? Because, Charlie – this is for the rest of your life. Finally, you’ve got to marry the person you love with your whole heart. And by the way – your flies undone.” Charles translates, and his fiancee punches him in the face. 

discussion

Who was David? Who was Charles? Who do you think the movie is about?

How did the people in the church react to their conversation? Does this mirror any reactions around identities you see in real life?

Have you seen deafness portrayed in other media? How did this differ? What was the same?

Read this article by Lilit Marcus on the character, does it change how you saw the scene? Did you know that Britain had a different sign language to the U.S.? Why or why not do you think that is?