Arrives April 3 on Netflix We don’t need wordsfilm directed by Luca Ribuoli and inspired by The Bélier familyalready adapted in the United States with TAIL – The signs of the heart. The new Italian version focuses on realism, inclusion and authentic representation of the deaf community.
The film focuses on the story of Eletta, a hearing teenager who grew up in a family that communicates exclusively with sign language. The story revolves around the conflict between personal ambition and family responsibility, while the protagonist discovers her talent for singing and finds herself faced with a choice: stay close to the family that depends on her or pursue a different future.
Entering a music school and the prospect of a choir in Rome force her to question what it really means to become independent. There is no simple answer, but a path made of doubts, difficult choices and personal growth, in which Eletta must redefine her role without losing the connection with her roots.
Sarah Toscano’s debut with sign language at the center
Sarah Toscano plays Eletta, making her film debut after her musical success. The singer underwent intense preparation, including studying acting and learning LIS, the central element of the film. To make the character credible, Toscano also worked on singing, adapting her voice to that of an inexperienced girl.
Alongside her, Serena Rossi plays the role of the music teacher who recognizes Eletta’s talent and encourages her to get involved. The cast also includes actors who are deaf in real life, a choice that strengthens the representation of family dynamics and gives greater emotional realism to the story.
One of the most relevant aspects of the film is precisely the use of Italian Sign Language, not as an accessory element but as a narrative language. Sarah Toscano had to learn the ropes to make her relationship with her on-screen family believable. The presence of deaf actors in the cast reinforces the objective of the film: to show an everyday life made up of gestures, glances and visual communication, avoiding stereotypes and simplifications.
Why see the film
We don’t need words it’s not just a coming-of-age story. The film addresses themes such as identity, autonomy and inclusion, telling the delicate transition between belonging and independence. The message is clear: growing up means finding your own voice without denying your roots.
Eletta’s story speaks to anyone who has had to choose between security and dreams, between responsibility and personal desire. The film shows how sign language becomes a tool for connection, not a barrier, and invites us to look beyond differences. In doing so, the film offers a reflection on communication beyond words, making us understand how listening can take on different forms.
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