The Way We Talk: A Shared Experience Beyond Language

Edmonton Premiere of an Award-Winning Hong Kong Film

On October 25, 2025, Edmonton welcomed a deeply moving and thought-provoking cinematic experience with the local premiere of The Way We Talk, an award-winning Hong Kong drama directed by Adam Wong. Presented by Etown Unity, sponsored by AsiaFest Alberta Association, co-hosted with the Edmonton Association of the Deaf, and supported by FascinAsian Edmonton, this one-time screening brought together members of both the deaf and hearing communities for a morning of shared stories, reflection, and connection.

A Story That Resonates Across Borders

The Way We Talk follows the lives of three young deaf individuals, each navigating different personal, social, and emotional challenges. Through their intertwined journeys, the film explores deaf identity, agency, and belonging, while portraying the realities of how deaf individuals interact with society and navigate a predominantly hearing world.

Although the story is rooted in a Hong Kong context, the themes resonated deeply with Edmonton audiences. Many deaf attendees shared that the challenges depicted in the film—identity, communication barriers, and social inclusion—are experiences that deaf communities in North America have also encountered. While cultural backgrounds may differ, there was a strong sense that we are walking similar paths, even if the pace and environment vary.

This sense of shared experience—shared struggles, shared emotions, but also shared love, value, and resilience—was felt strongly throughout the screening and discussion.

Recognition on the Global Stage

Since its debut, The Way We Talk has received significant international recognition:

• 61st Golden Horse Awards (2024)

  – Three nominations

  – Best Actress: Chung Suet Ying

• 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards (2025)

  – Seven nominations, including Best Film and Best Director

• 31st Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards

  – Selected as one of the Recommended Films

• 24th New York Asian Film Festival

  – Audience Choice Award

These accolades reflect the film’s strong storytelling, powerful performances, and its meaningful contribution to conversations around deaf identity and representation.

Reflections from the Sharing Session

The post-screening sharing session was one of the most touching parts of the event. Many deaf audience members expressed curiosity about how hearing people perceive the world, while hearing viewers shared how difficult it is to fully imagine the lived experiences of deaf individuals.

The film offered a starting point—opening space for empathy, dialogue, and mutual understanding.

One particularly memorable moment came when Cassi, a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) from Hong Kong, invited the audience to guess which actors in the film were deaf in real life. To the surprise of many, most of us guessed incorrectly. The room was filled with admiration for the actors’ performances, and a renewed appreciation for the depth and authenticity they brought to their roles.

Culture, Language, and Exchange

Another engaging discussion centered on sign language and cultural exchange. Even within the deaf community, sign languages vary greatly across regions. For example, the Cantonese sign for “加油” (“keep going”) is completely different from its equivalent in International Sign Language. These differences sparked meaningful conversations about communication, learning, and adaptation.

This kind of exchange is exactly what events like this hope to achieve—understanding culture through language, and building connection through shared learning.

Gratitude and Moving Forward

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Cassi for sharing her perspective, and to the interpreter from the Edmonton Association of the Deaf for supporting communication during the discussion. Their presence and contributions added depth and warmth to the experience.

The strong turnout and heartfelt response from the deaf community in Edmonton made this premiere especially meaningful. The Way We Talk reminded us that across cultures, languages, and borders, shared stories help us better understand one another—and that understanding is where true connection begins.