‘CODA’s Sian Heder Hopes Oscar-Nominated Apple Film’s Historic Achievement “Kicks The Door Open” For More Deaf Artists

deadline.com:

After watching her family drama CODA break ground this morning as both the first Apple Original, and the first feature led by a predominantly deaf cast to land a Best Picture Oscar nomination, writer-director Sian Heder caught up with Deadline to discuss the meaning behind this recognition from the Film Academy, and upcoming projects including a biopic on disability rights activist Judy Heumann.“I’m just stunned.

I’m so moved. I’m so proud of this cast and this crew,” the director said with regard to CODA’s reception. “It was a really scrappy production.

It was a little indie movie and people poured their hearts into it, and it’s just so incredible to see the movie get recognized on such a big scale.

I’m just so unbelievably moved by this cast, and their commitment to these characters and the story, and what this kind of representation does for this community.”CODA is a comedic drama based on the French film La Famille Bélier, which tells the story of Ruby (Emilia Jones), a CODA (or “child of deaf adult”) who serves as an interpreter for the members of her Boston family, including her mother Jackie (Marlee Matlin), her father Frank (Troy Kotsur) and her brother Leo (Daniel Durant).