This strip was interrupted on Sunday at the 94th Academy Awards, when Troy Kotsur, Metlin’s partner in “CODA”, won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role, becoming the first deaf person to receive the award. “Oscar” for acting.
“CODA” too left with the coveted award for best filma historic victory for the deaf community and the first film to be distributed by a streaming service, in this case Apple TV +, which won the best film.
Matlin said she hopes Kotsura’s victory, in particular, will “open the gateways” for other deaf actors.
“I’m very happy because, finally, it confirms that everyone respects our work as actors in every way,” Matlin said behind the scenes of Larry Spencer of ABC News after “CODA” won best film. “It’s been 35 years and I’ve been waiting for another deaf actor to join me.”
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Matlin won an Oscar for Best Actress in 1987 for her role as Sarah in Children of a Lesser God.
“I was waiting for another film to come out with a message like ours, and it didn’t happen,” she said. “I just hope it opens up the gateways.”
“CODA” went down in history as the first film with mostly deaf actors to win an Oscar for Best Picture.
The film tells the story of a 17-year-old girl named Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones), who is CODA (a child of deaf adults) and the only hearing member of her family. Ruby’s family – father Frank (Kotsur), mother Jackie (Metlin) and brother Leo (Daniel Durant) – depends on her association with others, especially when it comes to running their fishing business, but she dreams of going to music school and becoming singer.
In his speech at the reception, Kotsur thanked the theatrical community of the deaf, saying: “I want to thank all the wonderful scenes of the theater of the deaf, where I was allowed and given the opportunity to develop my skills as an actor.”
He concluded his speech with a powerful message addressed to the deaf community. I just wanted to say that it is dedicated to the community of the deaf, the community “CODA” and the community of people with disabilities. This is our moment. “
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Behind the scenes, Kotsur told Spencer that the “most touching moment” of the night for him was the applause he received when his name was announced.
When Kotsur made his way to the stage, the audience silently applauded, as well as when “CODA” won the best film.
“I felt like I felt that warmth in the room,” he said. “It felt like we were a family and a community and it was such a special moment and it really touched me.”
The full Oscar show is now available for broadcast on Hulu.
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