Question 1

Why is this film historically significant for female directors?

Accepted Answer

It was the first film directed by a woman (Randa Haines) to be Oscar nominated for Best Picture.

Question 2

What Oscar record did Marlee Matlin set with her performance in this film?

Accepted Answer

Marlee Matlin won the Best Actress Academy Award at 21 years and 218 days, making her the youngest ever winner of that Oscar.

Question 3

How did the film's box office change after Marlee Matlin's Oscar win?

Accepted Answer

Box office takings shot up by an unprecedented 164% after Marlee Matlin won the Best Actress Oscar.

Question 4

What made this film's casting approach different from earlier movies about deafness?

Accepted Answer

It was cast with deaf and hard of hearing actors for deaf and hearing impaired roles, unlike earlier films on the subject.

Question 5

What is the central relationship that develops in the story?

Accepted Answer

A romance slowly develops between James Leeds, a new instructor at a school for the deaf, and Sarah Norman, a young deaf woman who works there.

Question 6

Which actress made Oscar history as the youngest Best Actress winner for her debut film performance?

Accepted Answer

Marlee Matlin won the Best Actress Academy Award at age 21 for her role as Sarah Norman, making her the youngest ever winner in that category and one of only four actresses to win for a debut film performance.

Question 7

What unprecedented box office boost occurred after the film's Oscar success?

Accepted Answer

The film's box office takings increased by 164% after Marlee Matlin won the Best Actress Oscar.

Question 8

How did this film distinguish itself from earlier movies about deafness?

Accepted Answer

Unlike earlier films about deafness, this picture cast deaf and hard of hearing actors for deaf and hearing impaired roles.

Question 9

What made this film's director historically significant at the Oscars?

Accepted Answer

Randa Haines became the first woman director to have a film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Question 10

Which major film festivals included this film in their programming?

Accepted Answer

The film was featured at the Toronto International Film Festival in 1986 and the Berlin International Film Festival in 1987.

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