Since its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2021, CODA, a heartwarming coming-of-age comedy-drama about a teenage girl navigating her way through high school, life, and growing up as the only hearing member of a deaf family—the film's titular acronym stands for "child of deaf adults"—has racked up critical acclaim and a slew of awards. Now it can add three Academy Awards to its long list of accolades.
Emilia Jones stars as the CODA, Ruby, who had planned to stay in her Massachusetts hometown after graduation to help with her family's struggling fishing business. Then with the help of her music teacher Mr. V (Eugenio Derbez) she discovers a passion—and real talent—for singing, a pursuit that puts her at odds with her parents Frank and Jackie, played Troy Kotsur and Marlee Matlin, the latter who, before last night, was the only deaf performer to have won an Oscar (she took home the Best Actress trophy in 1987 for her role in Children of a Lesser God). "I've never played a character like this before," Matlin told T&C last summer. "I told my team: 'I have to do this.' I just went for it 100%. It was exactly what I was looking for my entire career."
At the 94th Academy Awards, CODA, which was directed by Sian Heder,was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Picture—it won all three. Kotsur became the first male deaf actor to win an Oscar. Upon accepting his Supporting Actor trophy from actress Youn Yuh-jung, he signed a funny and heartfelt speech. "This is dedicated to the deaf community, the CODA community and the disabled community. This is our moment," he concluded.
CODA also made history at the SAG Awards in February, taking home the prizes for Outstanding Cast and Actor in a Supporting Role for Kotsur. It broke ground as the first film with a predominantly deaf cast to receive the award and Kotsur became the first deaf actor to be nominated for and win an acting SAG. "You are all our peers,” Matlin signed for the cast's acceptance speech then. “We, deaf actors, have come a long way.” A few weeks later, CODA made history again at the BAFTA Awards in London, where Kotsur once more became the first deaf actor to win a BAFTA when he picked up the Best Supporting Actor statue, while Heder won for Best Adapted Screenplay.
How to Watch
Apple picked up the distribution rights to CODA after its premiere at Sundance, paying a festival-record $25 million. It was obviously worth it. The film's Best Picture prize was a huge coup for the company: it was the first movie from streaming service to win the top award at the Oscars. Since August, CODA has been available to stream on Apple TV+.
Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country, where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.
