Entertainment

‘This Is History’: ‘CODA’ Director Says Historic Win Is A Celebration Of Deaf Culture

   DailyWire.com
Eugenio Derbez, Sian Heder, Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, Emilia Jones, Daniel Durant and Amy Forsyth, winners of the Best Picture award for CODA in the Photo Room during the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 27, 2022.
(Allen Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

“CODA” director Sian Heder cheered the film’s historic win for Best Picture of the Year, saying that it was a celebration of “deaf culture” and the beginning of what she hoped would be a movement.

During the backstage interviews at the Oscars, The Daily Wire was part of the virtual press corps and spoke to the 44-year-old director about the movie “CODA,” which stands for Children of Deaf Adults, what she “would say this movie celebrates.” It comes at the 2:10 mark in the clip below.

“This movie celebrates deaf culture,” Heder told us. “And this is something. Look Marlee Matlin won an Oscar 35 years ago and she’s been alone in this industry. She has been the sole representative of this community.”

WATCH:

“And it’s time for that to change,” she added. “And this is a huge moment for the deaf community for the CODA community, disability community. This is history. There are three deaf actors in the lead of this film. There is ASL [American Sign Language] on screen.”

“We are saying that you belong here,” Heder continued. “Your stories are important. And I hope that this is the rock at the top of the hill that starts an avalanche. And I hope that this is not a movie but a movement.”

As previously reported by The Daily Wire, the film celebrated the importance of family, wasn’t woke in any way, and deserved to win the Best Picture of the Year.

This film finds a perfect balance between bringing the audience along for each of the main characters trying and touching moments. This isn’t a movie that pushes an agenda, any political viewpoints or social justice issues. It’s just about a family and their love for each other that gets them through their personal struggles to a better place.

“CODA” is based on the 2014 French film “La Famille Belier.” The American version is different than the French version, which offered only one deaf performer, reported RogerEbert.com previously.

Heder brought on three talented real-life deaf actors to take on the lead family member roles of this film: Academy award-winner actress Matlin as wife/mother Jackie Rossi, husband/father Frank Rossi is played by Troy Kotsur, and their son Leo Rossi, played by Daniel Durant. All three are deaf and wrapping up this family is Emilia Jones, who takes on the role of 17-year-old daughter/sister Ruby. She has spent her entire life interpreting her family’s world for them.

On Sunday night, “CODA” walked away with a total of three Oscars, the coveted title of Best Picture of the Year, Best Adapted Screenplay and Kotsur won Best Supporting Actor.

The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

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