Troy Kotsur has become the first deaf actor to be nominated for an Academy Award. His co-star, actress Marlee Matlin, was the first deaf nominee and winner of a gold statuette in 1986 with Children of a Lesser God. “When I received the nominee information, I knew I was not alone because Marlee had inspired me,” Kotsur told the Los Angeles Times. “It’s a hard journey deaf actor. There are very few opportunities out there, and she kept going, she was persistent. And then I also with my own career as a theater actor. So here I am today,” said the interpreter, who will compete at the Oscars on March 27 in the category of best supporting actor for the movie CODA.
After its premiere at the last Sundance Film Festival, CODA became a success that could surprise the next Oscar ceremony, since in addition to Kotsur’s nomination, it is nominated in the category of best film and best screenplay. adapted.
Apple, which has called the nominations “historic,” acquired the film for $25 million and has become a major contender this awards season to date with Kotsur accumulating wins and nominations at other awards such as SAG, BAFTA and Film Independent Spirit.
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The film narrates the drama that Ruby lives, a teenager who, being the daughter (and sister) of deaf-mutes, must assume the responsibility of being the only means of communication between her family and the community, while seeing her own dreams postponed. Troy Kotsur plays the patriarch Frank Rossi, a man who lives from artisanal fishing with his two children Leo (Daniel Durant), Ruby (Emilia Jones) and his wife Jackie (Marlee Matlin). “I had the fortune to know Marlee a long time ago, we were in similar projects and it was an advantage to bring this together to the cast. It is very easy to work with her, she is very funny without a doubt, ”says Kotsur, who for the audition of the character dressed as fisherman. “I looked for an outfit: I got the hat, the shirt, everything to portray Frank.”
Family love
Kotsur confesses that he has several favorite scenes in the film. “One that hit me was when Ruby and I are sitting in the back of the truck and he touches her neck and hair to hear the vibrations when she sings. Also when the whole family goes to see her sing at school. It excites me to know that the audience can live that experience, that moment of silence even if it was only 30 seconds. As a deaf person that is my life”, says and appreciates the level in which the entire film team was involved with the deaf actors.
“The production team also learned to sign, we joked with each other, we were always laughing. It was very nice to see that opening, it was a very supportive space. The project itself was a blessing,” he says.
In fact, the architect of that commitment to his deaf actors was director Sia Heder, who also learned sign language along with everyone including Emilia Jones, the 17-year-old protagonist who received lessons for nine months.
Also, Heder was always clear that all three of his co-stars should be deaf actors. “I said to myself: there is an opportunity to capture the authenticity of the deaf experience. Marlee went to the first one we tested and became a great contributor. Daniel was chosen out of hundreds and Troy is wonderful. It was great to see him on stage, how he transformed everything and compromised ”.
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At 53 years old, Troy Kotsur competes at the Oscars in the category of best supporting actor, along with Ciarán Hinds (Belfast), Jesse Plemons (The power of the dog), JKSimmons (Being the Ricardos) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The power of the dog), and if he wins the list, he maintains that he will dedicate the prize to their deceased parents. “They were really nervous because he was working as a deaf actor. They thought it wouldn’t even be possible. But I’d like to take the award there… so they know I did it.”
Following the nominations, the film’s director Sia Heder told Deadline, “I’m stunned, moved and so proud. It was a really rudimentary production, a little independent film and people put their hearts into it. It’s amazing to see it being recognized on such a large scale. I am incredibly moved by this cast and their commitment, the characters and the story, and what this kind of representation does for this community.”
Troy Kotsur hopes that these nominations will generate changes in the film industry. “With subtitles and sign language, it’s an inclusive story that can give people a new perspective… So don’t limit yourself, Hollywood! You need to break these barriers, not be afraid and do something new. There are no rules in art, right? ❖