Marlee MatlinMarlee Matlin

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. Director Stern reimagines documentaries, elevating American Sign Language (ASL) as the film's center while removing conventional voiceovers, including split-screen interviews with both Deaf and hearing contributors, and open captions.