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.
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 reflects 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,’ featuring illuminating interviews with Henry Winkler, Aaron Sorkin and Troy Kotsur.