Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore

In 1987, Marlee Matlin became the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award and was thrust into the spotlight at 21 years old. Reflecting on her life in her primary language of American Sign Language, Marlee explores the complexities of what it means to be a trailblazer.

97m 1s

Documentary (2025) in ASL (American Sign Language) with English subtitles. 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.
Directed by Shoshannah Stern, the film offers an unflinching look at Matlin’s remarkable life through the lens of her primary language, American Sign Language.  Stern’s directorial debut reimagines traditional documentary storytelling, elevating ASL as the film’s heart and soul while removing conventional voiceovers, 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. Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore is a co-production of American Masters Pictures, Actual Films, Afterimage Public Media, and ITVS, in association with Impact Partners.