Emilia Jones in director Sian Heder s new film, CODA. (Courtesy Seacia Pavao)
A young woman slinging nets on a fishing boat sings loudly into the wind. The two men on board, also busy with gear, don’t seem to notice or mind. With a sharp eye for detail and a huge heart, the opening scene of the new movie “CODA” lays the groundwork for a slightly torqued and emotionally resonant coming of age story.
“CODA” stands for “child of deaf adults” and centers on Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones), a high school senior torn between helping her tight-knit family run its fishing business or following her passion to sing. Shot entirely in Gloucester over the summer of 2019, it’s the second feature film written and directed by Cambridge native Sian Heder. It debuts as part of the highly coveted U.S. Dramatic Competition in the mostly virtual Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 28.