‘Sinners’ Premieres On Max July 4 With Black American Sign Language Accessibility

Ryan Coogler's ‘Sinners’ continues to break new ground in accessibility and audience reach. Beginning Friday, July 4, the history-making film will be available to stream on Max in two versions: the original theatrical release and a newly interpreted version in Black American Sign Language (BASL).

The BASL interpretation of ‘Sinners’ is performed by Nakia Smith, a prominent figure in the Black Deaf community. Smith’s interpretation captures the film’s culturally resonant and linguistically rich storytelling, and aligns with the film’s themes and historical setting. Rosa Lee Timm directed Smith’s interpretation. 

According to Warner Bros., this is the first time a streaming service has released a film with a BASL interpretation, setting a precedent for inclusive storytelling in the digital era.

Earlier this year, on May 29, Coogler, Proximity Media, and Warner Bros. honored a request from a Clarksdale, Mississippi native by hosting a public screening of ‘Sinners’ in the town where the story is set. Since there are no active movie theaters in or near Clarksdale, the team held a three-day community screening at the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium, reinforcing their commitment to accessibility and authentic community engagement.

The release of the BASL version continues the effort to increase accessibility, underscoring both the cultural significance of ‘Sinners’ and the growing recognition of diverse forms of communication and expression in film.

–Dominique Young