No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie

Filmmaker Troy Kotsur's charming family film stars John Maucere as deaf actor Tony Kane, who headlines a popular children's TV series called SuperDeafy. A comedy-adventure show centering on a buffoonish action hero, SuperDeafy finds Tony getting lots of laughs, but he is haunted by the way the show links his disability and the character's foolishness. Failing to convince SuperDeafy's producer to change the caped crusader into someone who can instill pride in young deaf viewers, Tony experiences a conflict between continuing success and a sense of a broader responsibility. Meanwhile, a subplot concerns a deaf schoolboy (Zane Hencker) whose father's determination to “mainstream” him at school and in life (i.e., no sign language) results in isolation and depression for the child. Also costarring Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin (as herself), this winning film is recommended. [Note: this is also available from Tugg (http://licenses.tugg.com) with public performance rights for $300.] (T. Keogh)