Chad Entinger, CEO of Deaf Missions, says the studio's theatrical release of Jesus is this Thursday, June 20, and the visual language is expressed clearly throughout this first-ever gospel film done by deaf people and for deaf people.
"We have deaf producers; we have deaf people throughout the cast and crew that have been involved," Entinger explains through his interpreter, Jonathan Walterhouse. "The purpose for the movie is to reach deaf people with the gospel of Jesus. As deaf people, we can't hear, but we can see, and this film is a powerful way to communicate the gospel."
But he adds that hearing viewers can also expect to learn about Jesus and His ministry, including the tension he encountered with the Jewish and other religious leaders.
"Overall, they're going to learn about Jesus' great love and His sacrifice and His death on the cross for our sins," Entinger continues. "Hearing people can benefit from this movie as well – it will have subtitles and sound behind it – so we welcome all deaf and hearing people to experience the gospel together."
As for how the scenes where characters' hands are bound are handled, like when Jesus speaks while hanging from the cross, Entinger says people will just have to see the film to find out how they accurately portrayed that portion of Scripture while also protecting deaf culture.
