CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD (1986)

CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD (1986) made is powerful debut on this day 38 years ago, some would argue changing the landscape of film representation forever. 

Directed by Randa Haines, the film is a moving story of a passionate romance between a new speech teacher (William Hurt) at a school for the deaf and the janitor (Marlee Matlin), a deaf woman, speechless by choice.

The film doesn’t just showcase the complexities of love, but also opens up deeper conversations about the struggles and independence of the deaf community, and was considered groundbreaking for its portrayal. Matlin delivers an unforgettable performance as Sarah Norman. It is as fierce and defiant as it is vulnerable, a role that helped push forward the conversation in the film industry for the need of authentic representation on screen and one that earned Matlin an Oscar for Best Actress—the first deaf actor to win an Oscar. At the time, she was 21 years old, which still remains the youngest person to win the Best Actress award.

CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD received an additional four nominations—Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture. It was the very first film to be nominated for Best Picture that was directed by a female. A fact that highlights the insane crazy disparity of male and non-male filmmakers in the category and the industry at large. Even to this day, of the 96 year history of the Academy Awards, there has been 601 films nominated for Best Picture. Of those 601 films, only 22 have been directed by women. Of the 22 films, three would win the category: THE HURT LOCKER (2009) directed by Catherine BIgelow, NOMADLAND (2020) directed by Chloé Zhao and CODA directed by Siân Heder. CODA shares a few special connections with CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD. The story is about Ruby, who is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) and her parents are played by Marlee Matlin and Troy Kutsur. Kutser won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor becoming the second deaf actor to win an Oscar, with of course as mentioned Matlin being the first for CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD.  

Over three decades later, CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD remains an emotional and cultural touchstone, reminding us of the importance of understanding, patience, and connection. It also stands as a beacon for the importance of representation both in front of the camera and in the director’s chair.