Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore
Opens July 11, 2025
In 1987, at the age of just 21, Marlee Matlin shattered expectations 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 seized the moment to challenge an industry unprepared for her immense talent, emerging as a trailblazer not only as a performer but also as an author and activist.
"An engaging, exuberant portrait... touches on Deaf identity and expression in a way that very few films have done."—The Hollywood Reporter
"Matlin and her director make clear the fluid ways that Deaf people move through the world. The documentary possesses a flexible form that rightly insists the rest of us lean in."—Variety
Matlin's incredible journey continued with standout roles in acclaimed projects such as "The West Wing" and the Oscar®-winning CODA, all while relentlessly advocating for greater inclusion and accessibility both within Hollywood and beyond its borders. Matlin opens up about her personal and professional struggles – 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 as the film’s heart and soul 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 at first had no place for her.
- Director: Shoshannah Stern
- Principal Cast: Marlee Matlin
- Country: USA
- Year: 2024
- Running Time: 98 min.
- Producer: Bonni Cohen, Robyn Kopp, Justine Nagan, Shoshannah Stern
- Cinematographers: Jon Shenk
- Editors: Sara Newens
- Music: Kathryn Bostic
- Website: Official Film Website
- Language: English, ASL
- US Distributor: Kino Lorber
- International Sales: Dogwoof