Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore

In 1987, 21-year-old Marlee Matlin made history as the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award® for her groundbreaking performance in Children of a Lesser God. Catapulted into the spotlight, she became a trailblazer, not just as a performer, but also as an author and activist. Matlin’s journey continued with notable roles in The West Wing and the Oscar®-winning CODA, all while fighting for greater inclusion and accessibility in Hollywood and beyond. Matlin opens up about her meteoric rise to fame, the challenges of navigating a predominantly hearing industry, the pain of a tumultuous high-profile relationship, getting sober and years of being overlooked by Hollywood – alongside her many triumphs. Director Shoshannah Stern reimagines traditional documentary storytelling, elevating ASL while removing conventional voiceovers and including open captions, creating an authentic and visually immersive experience. Through split-screen interviews with both Deaf and hearing contributors, the film weaves a poignant and inspiring narrative of Matlin’s legendary career, highlighting her tireless fight for inclusion and representation in an entertainment world that had no place for her prior.