Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore (Documentary)
Director: Shoshannah Stern
Producer: Robyn Kopp,Bonni Cohen,Justine Nagan
Cinematographer: Jon Shenk
Composer: Kathryn Bostic
Editor: Sara Newens,Kristina Motwani
Featured Subjects: Marlee Matlin,Aaron Sorkin,Henry Winkler
In this heartfelt documentary, the Oscar-winning star of Children of a Lesser God reflects on a career of striving to change the system for Deaf performers.
In 1987, aged 21, Marlee Matlin (CODA, MIFF 2021) scooped the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Children of a Lesser God – the first of just two occasions a Deaf actor has won an Oscar. She made a career not only through her onscreen roles but also as an advocate for disability rights, a responsibility she didn’t ask for but took on with gusto, testifying in the Senate in favour of mandatory closed captioning and joining the Deaf President Now campus movement at Gallaudet University. Her journey has been far from an easy one, however, as she candidly reflects in this revealing documentary: given few acting opportunities after her Oscar win, she worked hard to overcome addiction, industry prejudice and personal traumas including a violent relationship with her co-star William Hurt.
Filmmaker and actor Shoshannah Stern (Grey’s Anatomy), who is also Deaf, crafts a compelling portrait of a woman looking back on her career while making an impact on the lives of others. Built from an intimate sit-down with Matlin – undertaken using American Sign Language and onscreen captions – as well as interviews with Matlin’s family, fellow performers and colleagues including Aaron Sorkin and Henry Winkler, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore is a tribute to a trailblazing talent and a resonant call for greater inclusion.
“More than your average biographical documentary … a bittersweet corrective, a tribute to a trailblazer long overdue her flowers.” – RogerEbert.com
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The session on Saturday 23 August features a panel discussion hosted by Break a Finger. Break a Finger collaborates with creatives and organisers to make events and productions not only Auslan-accessible, but also welcoming and engaging for Deaf community working in these spaces, as well as audience members and participants. This event will be presented in Auslan with English voiceover interpreting for those not fluent in Auslan.
The session on Sunday 17 August is Sensory Friendly. This session will run a little differently from a standard session. To learn about what these changes are, you can check out MIFF’s Access page and review the Sensory Friendly Guide, which will be uploaded here on Thursday 14 August.