Marlee Matlin's Unfiltered Story: A Deaf Director's Unique Approach in New Documentary

Four years ago, Marlee Matlin, an Oscar winner, virtually witnessed the enchantment of a Sundance premiere as the touching indie “CODA” was unveiled there (it later sold for $25 million to Apple before winning the Oscar for best picture). However, this year, Matlin will have the pleasure of experiencing Sundance in person, with the debut of the documentary detailing her life and career, titled “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” which premiered to a full audience at the Eccles Theatre in Park City, Utah on Thursday.

Matlin says to EbMaster a few days prior to the festival, anticipating the excitement she’ll feel when a crowd of strangers watches her story unfold on the big screen. She admits that being in Eccles and kicking off the festival is quite amazing.

We gathered on Zoom for a discussion with documentary director Shoshannah Stern, along with Jack Jason (Matlin’s longtime interpreter) and Karri Aiken (who collaborates with Stern). The conversation centered around what made this project distinct from writing her 2010 memoir “I’ll Scream Later.”

We met over Zoom for a chat with documentary director Shoshannah Stern, accompanied by Jack Jason (Matlin’s longtime interpreter) and Karri Aiken (her regular collaborator). The focus of our conversation was the unique aspects of this project compared to writing her 2010 memoir “I’ll Scream Later.

The book reveals intimate insights into Matlin’s life, such as her abrupt and lasting hearing loss at eighteen months; her journey through the peaks and troughs of Hollywood after winning an Academy Award for her groundbreaking role in “Children of a Lesser God”; and her turbulent relationship with her co-star, the late William Hurt. Although some may consider these stories to be old news, the way they are presented in this documentary is truly enlightening, largely due to Stern’s unique framing.

Matlin points out that written words and sign language are distinct forms of communication, both being visual. While reading text lacks tone, Matlin’s visual expressions offer a unique depth. Stern adds to this by saying a book is like a solo speech, but a documentary offers the exchange of ideas, or dialogue.

The movie ‘Not Alone Anymore’ stands out distinctively, as it is primarily supported by Stern’s interview with Matlin. On screen, they are both situated on a couch facing each other, communicating through American Sign Language without any voiceover. Instead, the dialogue is presented in vibrant captions.

Matlin shares that he wasn’t aware of the unique setup for the interview until he walked in. He had assumed they would simply sit on a couch together. However, it wasn’t until he saw the movie that he realized Shoshana had something more planned. His reaction was, ‘Oh!’ He decided to go with the flow and let everything unfold naturally.

The one thing Stern says she warned her ahead of time: “Wear your cute socks.”

Shoshannah, this is your feature directorial debut. You came up with this unique setup, which led to a different conversation than a hearing person director would have been able to execute. How did you decide on this framework?

MARLEE KNEW HER DESIRES: Marlee was clear about what she wanted. She possesses exceptional intuition. Just like being the pioneer in blazing a trail through uncharted territory, her instincts were crucial for her. However, just as her gut feeling led her to choose me for directing the documentary, I too had to rely on my intuition.

In the initial stages of my creative journey, I recognized that the documentaries I envisioned were primarily audio-driven. Traditionally, directors position themselves behind the camera, engaging in dialogue with subjects, and skillfully piecing together various cuts. There’s often a voiceover, especially during interviews with deaf individuals. As thoughts swirled in my mind, I pondered, “What would a visually-focused documentary resemble?” The idea intrigued me because it resonated with the film’s title, “Not Alone Anymore.” I decided to collaborate with Marlee during our interviews, fostering a dialogue rather than adhering to the conventional interview format. This approach not only empowers Marlee to express her thoughts but also allows our conversation to shape and guide our storytelling experience.

Marlee, what was that instinct to have Shoshannah direct? And what was it like to be able to have that conversation instead of the usual — which I’m now realizing is a very limiting phrase — “talking head” interview?

MARLEE MATLIN: Initially, when PBS and American Masters proposed creating a biography about my life, I was receptive and flattered by the offer. I considered it an opportunity and thought, “Why not, especially if it’s directed by a deaf director.” They were open to this idea, asking for more details. For me, it was crucial to have a deaf perspective involved; it would make the production more authentic. I suggested Shoshannah Stern as a candidate, and they agreed. She hadn’t directed before, but they understood that everyone has to start somewhere.

It was clear that she would be the ideal choice for me, given our long-standing friendship and our ability to engage in meaningful conversations. She’s an excellent listener with a keen intuition, capable of delivering stories in an authentic, unfiltered manner – no pretense or artificiality. Our backgrounds, being raised as deaf women, sharing similar roles as actors, mothers, and partners to hearing men, have given us a unique connection. We understand each other on a deep level, even sharing the same brand of humor.

How did it feel? Was there a moment in the hours of conversation where Shoshannah asked you something you’ve never been asked before?

MATLIN: I’m an open individual who values sharing my experiences with others. Occasionally, I may hesitate due to trust concerns, but generally, I express what’s on my mind freely. Shoshannah is particularly skilled at bringing those thoughts out of me. She created a space where I felt comfortable laying bare whatever was on my mind.

Shoshannah, I noticed the lovely lavender color of Marlee’s captions and the various colors that you decided to use for the other interviewees. What was your thought process?

SOFT: Captions hold significant importance for me as they’re my primary means of understanding and gathering information. Even when I sleep as an adult, if there are two hearing individuals conversing in my dreams, I perceive captions. However, it’s important to note that captions, like many other aspects of our world, are created by individuals who don’t share our lived experience. Questions arise, such as why is there only one color for captions? And why can it be challenging to discern who’s speaking, especially in situations involving multiple speakers? I often find myself asking, “Who’s speaking now?” Additionally, they tend to remain stationary and sometimes obstruct crucial information displayed on the TV screen.

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve always found that movies provide an exceptional platform to weave stories more imaginatively. The more creatively accessible a film is, the more impactful it tends to be. However, captions have remained quite conventional, evolving slightly over time but essentially retaining their original form. When I reminisce about captions, they appear in my mind as the traditional ones from yesteryears.

In “Children of a Lesser God,” it’s quite intriguing. Marlee’s character doesn’t have any captions or subtitles; instead, only what James voices for her is captioned. This means Sarah, who communicates through sign language, remains silent in the original film. However, in our adaptation, we were able to add captions for Sarah’s signs for the first time, which was a very emotional moment for us. I apologize if I moved you with my sentiment.

MATLIN: See, that is an authentic storyteller.

STERN: It’s just emotional for me, because I’ve never seen it before.

MATLIN: It’s long overdue, but now it’s finally happening – this is Shoshsannah’s film, and she’s making it on her own terms. It resonates deeply with our shared experiences, and I feel privileged to be part of her debut movie.

However, it was necessary. I couldn’t let the opportunity pass by. If I had simply copied the style of other documentaries, I wouldn’t have been able to create it. I could only bring my unique perspective, and I wanted to improve upon what already existed – for Marlee, for myself, and for all deaf viewers who watch films. To instill hope that change can happen.

In my perspective, this film offers numerous layers, carrying multiple messages, all interwoven beautifully. It delves into various issues that the deaf community has grappled with throughout history. My personal tale serves as a single thread in the tapestry of experiences shared by the deaf community – the struggles against oppression and more. I’m deeply grateful to Shoshannah for enabling us to narrate this profound story.

From the beginning, I’ve maintained that Marlee’s tale possesses a unique blend of the extraordinary and the everyday; my aim was to portray these contrasting aspects simultaneously.

The film does highlight how extraordinary the circumstances were that you’ve survived, Marlee. So many of the people interviewed — like Lauren Ridloff (Marvel’s “Eternals,” a Tony Award nominee for “Children of a Lesser God” on Broadway) have seen you and been inspired. What was it like to hear their testimonies about what you and these fights that you’ve made over the years have meant to them?

MATLIN: It’s incredibly moving for me to realize that this is exactly what I aimed for. My goal was to show others what I could achieve, what I went through, and what I connected with as a deaf individual. Yet, I always knew that I wasn’t the only one on this journey. It’s a privilege for me to discuss my experiences as an actress, a mother, and in all the other facets of my life. I’m grateful if I can inspire them in some way. This is simply about sharing my faith, which makes me feel less isolated now.

One more thing about the captions — which Marlee, you advocated for closed captioning on TV in the 1980s and again at Sundance when you were a juror in 2013 — why did you choose lavender for Marlee’s captions?

The reason for her stunning appearance at the 1987 Oscars was her elegant lavender dress, which she wore when she received the award for Best Actress.

MATLIN: I didn’t know that!

As a movie enthusiast, I couldn’t help but notice the connection between the lilac shirt she wore during our initial interview and the similar hue she donned in the dinner scene. Some might call me a bit ‘out there’, but I often get this uncanny feeling about characters and their colors – like it’s a reflection of their essence or spirit. In this movie, I felt as if I could predict the dominant colors for several characters based on their energy.

Working with the extraordinary deaf artist Alison O’Daniel was an incredibly enjoyable experience for me. Two years ago, her film “The Tuba Thieves” had its premiere at Sundance, and I found the harmony in it simply captivating. Marlee’s advocacy for captions is evident throughout the movie, which is about her life, and another deaf woman elevates them even further. When I saw the final captions, I was filled with excitement. It was a very emotional moment for me.

What else do you want people to know about the film?

MATLIN: I’m expecting some unexpected moments, such as the one towards the end where I performed a Billy Joel song using sign language. I had the privilege of signing songs for Billy Joel at his home in New York City back in the 80s, during his marriage to Christie Brinkley. I believe I signed around three songs to him, and he recorded them on his home video camera. If by chance someone can contact Christie Brinkley, perhaps they could find out if she has kept that footage. If she does, that would be fantastic! Shoshannah took me by surprise during the initial screening and asked if it was alright to include it in the end credits. I agreed, “Yes, go ahead.

Is “My Life” a special song for you?

MATLIN: It is. It’s my father’s favorite song.

2025-01-24 06:47

Marlee Matlin’s Unfiltered Story: A Deaf Director’s Unique Approach in New Documentary