CinemaBravo

What if the greatest expressions of love are never spoken aloud?

Chinese filmmaker Mo Sha presents ‘Mumu: I Hear You, Papa’, a heart-stirring drama that sheds light on the quiet resilience and emotional depth of a deaf-mute father’s relationship with his daughter.

This poignant film delves into themes of connection, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between parent and child—told through a narrative that unfolds in silence, yet resonates deeply with audiences.

At the heart of the story is Xiao Ma, played by Asian Superstar Lay Zhang of EXO, a hearing-impaired single father raising his cheerful, hearing daughter, Mumu (Li Luoan), in a close-knit deaf community. Devoted to giving his daughter a better future, Xiao Ma embarks on a determined quest to improve her life—an effort that tragically entangles him in a scam.

Their lives also take an unexpected turn when Mumu’s estranged mother, Xiao Jing (Huang Yao), resurfaces to reintegrate her into the hearing world. As Mumu struggles to adapt, she begins to understand that love isn’t confined to a spoken language—and that true connection can thrive in silence. 

As circumstances threaten to pull them apart, Xiao Ma and Mumu cling to the one thing that is louder than anything in the world: love.

A tribute to the deaf community, ‘Mumu’ is more than a film—it’s a reflection of lived truths. Over 30 individuals with hearing impairments were cast, many without prior experience. Their performances bring authenticity into every scene, echoing director Sha’s original intent: to give voice and visibility to a community often left in the margins.

“I first engaged with this community after seeing news about deaf individuals and conducting field research,” Sha said during an interview. “Then the opportunity to make a short film came along.

The short film evolved into a poignant, full-length feature with themes of vulnerability and perseverance. He and screenwriter Fu Dandi also shed light on the risks of scams and misinformation—real dangers faced by marginalized communities— which serve as a key part of the story.

To portray Xiao Ma with truth and care, Lay Zhang immersed himself in the role—training in sign language, rehearsing in silence using earplugs, and visiting deaf communities. 

“I hope more people will learn sign language, respect people with hearing impairments,” Lay Zhang told the audience through sign language at the Beijing premiere. “We should come together to have fun and accomplish more and more things, together.”

A quiet triumph that resonates loudly with heart, catch ‘Mumu: I Hear You, Papa’ starting June 11, in select theaters nationwide. [Press release]