Marlee Matlin Demands Every Theater Screen Movies with Captions for All Fans

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Marlee Matlin became the very first individual who is deaf to receive an Oscar, which she earned in 1987 for her performance in “Children of a Lesser God.” Given this accomplishment, it’s clear that she has extensive knowledge on making films accessible through features like closed captioning.

She passionately delivered a speech about the topic at the 2025 Oscar Sci-Tech Awards, an event that celebrates scientific breakthroughs in the arts. She was awarded the Academy Award of Merit, recognizing (all those who) have been instrumental in creating and sustaining captioning technology for films, whether it’s open or closed.

Initially, Matlin commenced her speech by expressing how the Oscar could inspire a fresh wave of captioning specialists and engineers in ways that many, including myself, have long aspired for more substantially. However, she also highlighted that society has not progressed as quickly as one might hope, with certain “film producers, studios, film festivals, exhibitors, and theaters” failing to take action by providing captions as expected.

As a movie enthusiast, I envision a not-too-distant future where I step into any cinema at any hour, and enjoy a film with my granddaughter, family, friends, or even alone, all while benefiting from captions that elevate the cinematic experience on the big screen. The technology is already available; now it’s about inspiring those who have the means to make this dream a tangible reality.

Beyond just highlighting this, Matlin also underscored that a significant number of classic films have yet to be captioned. She expressed her hope that the recognition of captioning technology would not only celebrate its advancements in modern filmmaking but also encourage revisiting and updating older films for captioning during retrospectives and festivals. Regrettably, these classics are often shown without captions. Given your innovative prowess in the field, she believes this focus on captioning technology could inspire similar groundbreaking progress in the realm of film preservation and accessibility.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge the extraordinary impact of Marlee Matlin – a trailblazer not just in acting, but also in advocating for the deaf community. A profound glimpse into her life, aptly titled “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” has already graced the screens at Sundance and will grace cinema screens on June 20, 2025.

Diego Luna Made A Political Quip At The Ceremony

At the Oscars Sci-Tech awards, Matlin didn’t shy away from making a statement, and neither did the host, who started the ceremony with a political jest. He announced, “It’s an honor to host this year’s scientific and technical achievement awards, but before we begin, I must offer an apology.” He continued, “I understand my fee is higher than usual this year. I acknowledge it’s not my fault. The cost of everything coming in from Mexico has increased due to the new tariffs.

However, he became more somber, expressing, “The individuals being recognized tonight hail from diverse backgrounds and specializations, yet they share a common trait: each is a visionary whose creative genius and abilities have transformed cinema into the worldwide powerhouse it stands as today. I wish to express, on behalf of my fellow actors, our profound admiration for your talents; your work enables us to excel in our roles. You are often overlooked, but tonight we celebrate you.

The film industry relies heavily on individuals who work unseen, developing the technology essential for movies, and without closed captioning, countless individuals would miss out on this experience.

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2025-05-01 01:26