Since the recent Oscar ceremony on March 27, 2022, the controversy between the two celebrities, actor Will Smith and comedian Chris Rock, has drawn the limelight away from the historic successes of that night. Consequently, a film that would usually be making headlines has been brushed over: CODA.

This year at the 94th Oscar Academy Award ceremony, CODA, an indie film that has been rapidly climbing the steps up to recognition, hit a homerun, winning all three of its nominations: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor. It was the first film with a predominantly deaf cast to win best picture, and one of their cast member’s, Troy Kotsur, was the first deaf man to win an Oscar. "This is dedicated to the Deaf community, the 'CODA' community, and the disabled community," Kotsur said during his acceptance speech. "This is our moment." 

CODA is a coming-of-age story about a teenage girl, Ruby Rossi, who is a CODA (child of deaf adults). As the only hearing member of her family, she is constantly working to prevent her family’s fishing business from sinking. However, after joining her school choir to be around her crush, her love for singing unexpectedly flourishes. Empowering her, her music guides Ruby to greater opportunities, love, and healing within her family.

Adapted from the French film La Famille Bélier, CODA was reinvented by writer and director, Sian Heder. La Famille Belier portrays a teen girl, Paula, who is also the only hearing member of her family. Like Ruby Rossi, Paula is expected to be the interpreter between her family and the rest of the world. In the original French version, there was criticism of playing too much into deaf stereotypes, making Paula’s family an object of derision. When the film was developing, producers casted renowned non-deaf actors to portray deaf characters, despite there being many deaf actors capable and well-suited for the roles. Matlin, the woman who Heder cast as the mother, fought against this, threatening to quit. She explained her feelings on Hollywood casting of deaf characters for The Los Angeles Times by saying, “It’s strange because studios clearly have the ability to greenlight a film and cast whomever they want, and there continues to be a lack of awareness that you can tell universal stories with deaf characters.” 

Additionally, the film has received much acclaim since its release, which has made those in the deaf community hopeful for more representation in the future. In the 2021 adaptation, CODA received praise from viewers; Delbert Whetter, chief operating officer and head of business affairs at Exodus Film Group and vice-chair of the disability nonprofit RespectAbility, said that the portrayal of a deaf family not needing to be “saved” or “pitied” was refreshing. That being said, there were also many torn feelings among deaf viewers. While relatable for some, there were audiences who felt that the movie also relied too heavily on tropes to show the “deaf experience.” Jenna Beacom, a deaf media critic and consultant on deaf movie characters, told The New York Times that while CODA is a gateway for more representation in movies, “There’s so many actually harmful messages in this movie… I don’t want those messages out there, I don’t want them taking root.” Many thought that Ruby’s family’s inability to enjoy music perpetuated inaccurate stereotypes about deaf people. One viewer stated in The New York Times that the “deaf people can’t enjoy music” trope is tiring and overused. The entire plotline of Ruby’s choice between family and music was deemed unnecessary because it did not seem accurate to real-life. 

"Deafness isn't a monolith, I want to see diversity of race and sexuality and class and experience and interest, the way the deaf community really is. You can't cram that all in one film…” says Sara Novic, a deaf writer. While many agree that CODA is not representative of the deaf community, nor what deaf movies should be, there is reason for celebration in the recognition of this film. It is an indicator to the rise of well-representing movies in widespread media  –   an instigator for discussion outside of the film world. CODA’s Oscar wins made history and will hopefully continue to move Hollywood in a more inclusive direction – this time, not just for the deaf community.