PBS’ “American Masters” documentary series will tackle the life of actor, activist and author Marlee Matlin with the feature documentary “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore.”
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The film will use ASL as its primary language. Along with stylized captioning and dynamic editing, it aims to push the boundaries of conventional documentaries and will bring together Deaf and hearing team members across production and post-production roles.
“The film will explore Matlin’s life as a groundbreaking performer, whose meteoric and tumultuous rise to fame started in 1987 when she became the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award for her role in ‘Children of a Lesser God.’ At the age of 21, Matlin was thrust into the national spotlight, becoming for many Americans the first Deaf person they saw on TV and overnight becoming the de-facto representative of the Deaf community,” reads its log line.
It continues: “The film boasts never-before-seen home video filmed over the course of Matlin’s 37-year career by her longtime interpreter and producing partner Jack Jason – including footage of Matlin behind the scenes on the sets of some of her most iconic roles, including ‘Children of a Lesser God,’ ‘The West Wing’ and ‘Seinfeld.’ For the first time in her own language, Matlin will reflect on her relationship with actor William Hurt, her place in the Deaf community, her fight for roles and accessibility in Hollywood and what it means to be ‘”the first.'”
Shoshannah Stern (“This Close,” “Supernatural,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) is directing the documentary that will feature interviews including Henry Winkler, Aaron Sorkin, Randa Haines, Sian Heder, Lauren Ridloff and John Maucere.
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“As a deaf woman who first saw herself reflected in Marlee as a child, I was inspired to become an actor. I am now an actor, a writer and, with this film, a director. I am experiencing everything Marlee has made possible in a beautiful metaphysical tandem,” Stern said in a statement. “In our film, the telling of her story is rendered through the easy familiarity people have with an interviewer who shares their lived experience. Hopefully, because of this, our project will exemplify why nobody, much less Marlee Matlin, should be alone anymore.”
Actual Films and American Masters Pictures co-produced the project, and the WNET Group’s theatrical imprint for documentaries is co-produced by PBS’ “American Masters,” Impact Partners and ITVS in partnership with AfterImage Public Media.
The documentary was produced by Robyn Kopp, Bonni Cohen and Justine Nagan of Actual Films. Michael Kantor is the executive producer for “American Masters.” EPs include Ruth Ann and Bill Harnisch, Melony and Adam Lewis, Patty Quillin and Jenny Raskin; co-EP is Ann W Lovell.
The documentary is expected to release in 2025.
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