Marlee Matlin and Shoshannah Stern are hoping their new documentary, 'Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore', will serve as a rallying cry for more Deaf stories. The film, directed by Shoshannah Stern, a fellow deaf actress and writer, marks her directorial debut. Matlin and Stern met through a chance encounter, and their collaboration on the documentary has led to a deeper understanding of the importance of accessibility and the need for more Deaf stories to be told. The documentary, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year, showcases American Sign Language (ASL) as its primary language, reflecting the unique communication style of the Deaf community. The film also highlights the challenges faced by Deaf actors in Hollywood, as Matlin reflects on her own experiences and the limited opportunities available to her after her breakthrough role in 'Children of a Lesser God'. Stern emphasizes the importance of diverse storytelling and the need to move beyond the singular narrative of 'Children of a Lesser God' to provide a more accurate and inclusive representation of the Deaf community.
