The Way We Talk

Wolf and Alan are childhood friends, raised in a school in Hong Kong where sign language was heavily discouraged. Wolf, proud to be Deaf, routinely stirred up trouble by signing in class. As they grow up, Alan gets a cochlear implant and learns oralism but remains committed to advocating for diverse forms of communication.

Now in adulthood, Alan meets Sophie, a cochlear implant ambassador who credits the device with giving her a “normal” life. As the three of their lives become intertwined, they must confront questions of language, identity, and their feelings for one another.

Adam Wong’s latest feature is a tender portrait of three young people navigating their relationships to Deafness on their own terms. Brought to life by an exceptional cast, including Deaf actor Marco Ng’s debut and an award-winning performance by young star Chung Suet Ying, The Way We Talk sheds light on ongoing social inequalities whilst centering a narrative of empowerment and self-discovery.