Sign Gene
Sign Gene: The First Deaf Superheroes is a 2017 superhero film written, produced, directed and starred by Emilio Insolera. The story revolves around a deaf agent, Tom Clerc (played by Insolera), from New York City who is a carrier of a powerful genetic mutation. He is sent to Japan with his colleague, Ken Wong, to investigate crimes believed to have been committed by Japanese deaf mutants. The film's characters, both villains and agents, use sign language as their superhuman powers. The film also stars Carola Insolera, Ben Bahan, Hiroshi Vava, Humberto Insolera and Noboru Kuragawa. The film makes several references to deaf history, culture, and sign language linguistics. Six languages are spoken and signed in the film: English, Japanese, Italian, American Sign Language, Japanese Sign Language and Italian Sign Language. Premise Sign Gene is a genetic mutation present in only 29 out of the 300 genes responsible for causing deafness. All deaf mutants who are carriers of this genetic mutation turn out to be superheroes with the ability to create superpowers through the use of sign language. They are blessed with arcane powers such as being able to make doors close by signing the word 'close', or having their hands metamorphose into weapons which can spew fire by signing the word 'weapon'. Plot Tom Clerc is a deaf secret agent who comes from a multi-generational deaf family. He is a descendant of Laurent Clerc, considered the Father of the Deaf in America. In the film, Laurent Clerc brought sign language to the United States two centuries earlier. Tom is a carrier of SGx29, the powerful Sign Gene mutation. However, he lost a significant portion of his powers during a battle with Jux Clerc, Tom's brother and the leader of the group 1.8.8.0., an evil organization dedicated to exterminating Sign Gene mutants. Hugh Denison is the head of the Q.I.A. (QuinPar Intelligence Agency), an agency affiliated with the Pentagon and composed of selected agents with the Sign Gene mutation. Hugh sends Tom and his colleague, Ken Wong, to Osaka, Japan. The pair end up fighting a Japanese gang led by Tatsumi Fuwa. During their encounters with the gang, Ken and Tom learn that they can only win the conflict by conforming to the Japanese way. Along with his journey, Tom learns that his powers are not lost. Cast Emilio Insolera as Tom Clerc, mutant with superhuman powers, descendant of Laurent Clerc. Carola Insolera as Kate Massieu, descendant of Jean Massieu, pioneering deaf educator. Ben Bahan as Hugh Denison, head of the QuinPar Intelligence Agency and descendant of James Denison. Humberto Insolera as Jux Clerc, Tom's brother and the face of the 1.8.8.0. (International Genetic Genealogy Organization). The name of the organization makes reference to the Milan Conference in 1880. Hiroshi Vava as Tatsumi Fuwa, boss of a Japanese gang. Danny Gong as Ken Wong, Tom's colleague at the QuinPar Intelligence Agency. Noboru Kurakawa as Tatsumi Fuwa's personal bodyguard Production Development Sign Gene: The First Deaf Superheroes was shot in Japan, the