Talking during these movies is allowed

A neighbourhood cinema in Toronto recently hosted a first ever for film-a new movie viewed first in the format specially produced for the blind. Famed Canadian director Denys Arcand hosted the premiere of his latest film, Stardom. The screening at the Beaches Cinema was a ‘described version’ of the film.

This marks the first time a described film was shown to an audience prior to the film’s theatrical release. The described version of a film is usually not available until months after the film is released.

Described films add concise narration during pauses in the dialogue. These explain the visual action essential to understanding the story. Without the description, blind and vision impaired people would miss crucial information. With a described version, people who are blind or vision impaired can enjoy movies as much as sighted people.

Spoken description
The premiere was hosted by Audiovision Canada, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), and Alliance Atlantis. Audiovision Canada was established in 1995 to make films and television programs more accessible for people wit vision difficulties.

Audiovision adds a conse spoken description of the visual action to a program’s soundtrack. This description complements the dialogue and sound effects. The added description enables people who can’t see the screen to picture the action in their mind’s eye.

The CNIB operates a Library for the Blind. Its purpose is to expand learning opportunities through a network of resources-local, provincial, national, and international resources. For more information on these programs or to volunteer your services, visit the CNIB website.