LOS ANGELES — Deaf actors, Deaf culture and sign language are stepping into the limelight in stunning fashion at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony — with three films prominently featuring all three up for major awards.
"CODA," about the musically talented hearing child of deaf parents, is a favorite to win best picture, and its lead, Troy Kotsur, is similarly favored to win supporting actor. "Audible," up for documentary short subject, is about a football team at Maryland School for the Deaf. And "Drive My Car," a film about a theater director's journey through grief, which is up for both best picture and international feature, features Park Yurim as a mute actress who uses Korean Sign Language to heartbreakingly beautiful effect.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Office of Representation, Inclusion and Equity, which was created in 2020 and is overseen by Jeanell English, is working to make sure that deaf nominees and guests at the ceremony, as well as the legions of deaf fans watching from home, have a stellar experience. A big part of that is ensuring there is top-notch translation readily available for everyone who needs it.
