American Sign Language is often misunderstood as simply a word-for-word translation of English speech. However, it’s a completely different language with different word order and syntax. Just like with other languages, some of the meaning can be lost in an interpretation.
To overcome this obstacle, a full-length major motion film about Jesus was released June 20 in ASL with English subtitles.
“What is so special about this film about Jesus is that all of the cast signs instead of speaking. When using sign language and being produced for Deaf by Deaf, it adds more nuance to the film — storyline, expression, cinematography, etc. — that contributes to the creativity and influence of Deaf culture,” said Joseph D. Josselyn, producer and director of the film.
In the making
In order for Deaf to learn about Jesus in their own language, Deaf Missions, a ministry that seeks to communicate the gospel with the Deaf Community through their heart language, spent years translating the Bible into an all-ASL version. Once it was completed and the final book released June 20, 2020, Deaf Missions moved on to making “Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film.”
Neither project was cheap or easy.
“We learned that God has big goals for [Deaf Missions]. We learned that if God wills this to be completed, He provides,” Josselyn said.
Donations from regular supporters as well as new donors supplied the $4.8 million needed to produce the film.
Because this is a production for Deaf by Deaf, the key crew who worked on the project were Deaf. The production team did hire some Hearing crew who knew ASL. At times, specialized crew members were needed and many of them were Hearing, so there were interpreters on the set for those who didn’t know ASL.
The idea for making an ASL-only movie about Jesus isn’t new. Josselyn thought about it as a child as he watched “Jesus of Nazareth” while relying on subtitles. Even at that early age, he wondered what it would be like if Jesus signed in the film.
“That seed did not come to fruition until I met another producer — Michael Davis of GUM Vision Studio — who had the same vision,” Josselyn said.
“The rest is history.”
Josselyn said the group rejoiced when one of the actors wanted to be baptized, even though it was December and all they had to use was the film’s “freezing cold” outdoor baptismal pool.
Highly anticipated
Steve Dye, Deaf ministry catalyst and consultant for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, was extremely excited to watch the movie in theaters. Dye noted that theaters in Alabama were packed or sold out with the Deaf Community.
“The highly anticipated movie was not exactly what we imagined; it was more than we imagined.
“The Deaf Missions ‘Jesus’ movie was the first of its kind to share the story of Jesus and His ministry. But the one thing that makes it stand out above the rest is the way it was communicated in American Sign Language. The entire two and a half hours was all in signing. No voicing. Subtitles were shown for those who were learning ASL or didn’t know signing at all.”
Dye asked several Deaf what they liked about it and the overwhelming response was, “My language, finally!” The most disliked aspect was that it wasn’t long enough; they wanted more.
One source The Alabama Baptist spoke with, a hearing child of Deaf adults (CODA) who is part of the Birmingham Community Deaf Church, said that “everyone is asking for Deaf people everywhere to be saved now.
“About 97 or 98% of Deaf people around the world are lost. I was glad to know that some who were not Christians went and saw the movie. That was my prayer — for all the lost Deaf people throughout our community to see this so they could understand very clearly via ASL that Jesus Christ died for us on the cross and rose from the grave.
“Since they have seen the movie, I pray that they will read the Bible and learn more about God’s love for us and will look for a church home that has a Deaf ministry or a Deaf church,” said Cromwell Josey, Deaf ministry leader and preacher for the Deaf at Meadow Brook Baptist Church.
Josselyn is very thankful that Deaf Missions was able to make the movie and that it’s being shown past its original two-date release.
God in control
Throughout this process, he has learned that God is in control. Josselyn also isn’t finished.
“I am humbled to be the producer and director for this film. Taking on the ‘Jesus’ full feature film was not exactly an easy task, and there is always room to learn. When we do the next feature film, I think we can improve more based on what we learned.”
Currently there are no plans to release “Jesus” in a DVD format, although that may be reconsidered due to the overwhelming requests. However, people can now access the film for their churches, clubs or organizations through the Faith Content Network by hosting a ticketed event movie night.
At some point this fall the hope is that it will be available for rent or purchase through an online service, and then by winter-spring of 2025 their goal is to have the film on a major streaming service.
To find out more about Deaf Missions and “Jesus,” go to deafmissions.com. For more about how to watch it with a group, go to faithcontentnetwork.com.
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