Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin. Photo Credit: Jamie McCarthy
On Monday, June 9th, Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin (“Children of a Lesser God” and “CODA”) spoke about her new documentary “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” which had its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Helen Keller once said: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” Marlee Matlin embodies this wise quote.
Matlin participated in red carpet interviews with members of the press outside of the SVA Theatre in New York City as part of the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.
In 1987, Ms. Matlin made cinematic history, where she became the first Deaf actor (male or female) to win an Academy Award, and as a result, was catapulted into the spotlight at the young age of 21.
In addition for 38 years, Matlin still holds the record as the youngest “Best Actress” winner in the history of the Academy Award, which is a impressive feat.
Matlin on her new documentary
The new documentary was directed by Shoshannah Stern, and edited by Sara Newens with Jon Shenk as the cinematographer.
“Having a documentary about my life is very humbling,” Matlin admitted. “I think the time was right. As I was getting older, and I was experiencing more life, I was experiencing more courage about being able to tell my story.”
“I hope when people see the film, they will leave understanding the importance of recognizing accessibility for people who are Deaf,” she explained. “This is an important story that needed to be told.”
“We are not asking for pity; it happens to be about Deaf children when it comes to language deprivation,” she noted.
“Again, this is 2025, attitudes can change, and we can understand that it’s offering respect and inclusive environments for kids like me,” she elaborated.
Matlin on being a part of the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival
On being a part of the Tribeca Film Festival, Matlin said, “I’m very humbled to be here. My goodness.”
“The Tribeca Film Festival has been around for almost 25 years, and I have been looking forward to someday having a film here, and to be able to hang out with everybody here, and now, here I am,” she elaborated.
Matlin shares her lessons learned from this documentary
On the lessons learned from this documentary, Matlin reflected, “The first time I saw the documentary, I thought, ‘wait a minute, wait it was a blur because you are naturally watching this for the first time. I think I’ve seen it six times.”
“When I saw it over and over again, I think I’ve learned it has been a healing process to watch this documentary. It is sort of self-revealing,” she acknowledged.
“I’ve learned a lot about how I was treated by certain people in the media, and just people in general, not realizing what I went through,” she noted.
“There are a lot of things in this film that I learned as a result of watching and I have to thank Shoshannah [Stern] for that,” she expressed.
Advice she would give her younger self
When asked what advice she would give her younger self, she responded, “Enjoy life and enjoy the now. Just expect respect, and have more empathy for people.”
“Take a greater look at yourself. Try to have the courage to do something that you might not necessarily have felt comfortable with, and try to fix it. Also, just be kind,” she added.
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, at a time when streaming, technology, and social media are so prevalent, Matlin remarked, “It’s amazing! I’m glad to be able to be a part of the whole digital age phenomenon.”
“It’s overwhelming but at the same time, social media and streaming are providing more opportunities and options,” Matlin noted.
“I think the digital age highlights the fact that we need more Deaf stories and more Deaf actors. There needs to be a bigger focus on that,” she acknowledged.
“So, I think the digital age has to change that; it needs to change,” she added.
Stage of her life
On the title of the current chapter of her life, Matlin revealed, “I’m screaming now!”
Matlin on the significance of mentoring
Matlin underscored the importance of mentoring. “I think mentoring is important,” Matlin said. “I was mentored by Henry WInkler. As far as mentoring others who ask for advice or guidance, I’m there.”
“I am not mentoring anyone specifically at the moment on an ongoing basis, but I’m just available to anyone who wants to talk with me, or anything like that, I’m there,” she added.
Success
Matlin furnished her definition of the word success. “Success means that you feel good about what you are experiencing, and in terms of my view of success, it is about being here with all of you, sitting there, and being as moved as I am.”
Closing thoughts on her ‘Not Alone Anymore’ documentary
For fans and viewers, Matlin stated about her new documentary, “I hope people watching this documentary can have greater understanding about Deaf people, and spread the message that you need to keep the faith.”
“I hope people that watch the film will have a better understanding of what we — as people who happen to be Deaf — go through, in terms of being forced to adhere to whatever standards they think we need to be forced to,” she elaborated.
“This is 2025, so I’m hoping that people will watch the film and pass along a message to others, who might happen to have Deaf children or Deaf babies. There are resources out there, and people to talk to, and do not give up on your child. Let them be,” she concluded.
To learn more about Oscar-winning actress and activist Marlee Matlin, follow her on Instagram and X.
Read More: “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” documentary review.
Many thanks to Marlee Matlin’s ALS interpreter, Jack Jason, for his exceptional interpretation services and assistance during this in-person interview on the red carpet of the SVA Theatre as part of the Tribeca Film Festival.
Content shared from www.digitaljournal.com.