How Many Times Has CODA Been Made? Who Starred in It? How Many Awards Did It Win?
Released in 2021, CODA became one of the most inspiring and celebrated films of the decade. Its heartfelt story, authentic performances, and powerful message about family, identity, and inclusion resonated with audiences around the world. The film made history at the Academy Awards by becoming the first movie released by a streaming service to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
But many viewers don't realize that CODA is actually a remake. The story first appeared in a successful French-language film several years earlier before being adapted for English-speaking audiences. Here's a closer look at the history of CODA, its cast, and the impressive list of awards it earned.
How Many Times Has CODA Been Made?
The story has been adapted into two major feature films.
1. La Famille Bélier (2014)
The original version of the story is the French-Belgian comedy-drama La Famille Bélier, released in 2014. Directed by Éric Lartigau, it follows a teenage girl who is the only hearing member of her deaf family. She discovers a remarkable talent for singing while struggling to balance her dreams with her responsibilities at home.
The film was a major commercial success in France and introduced audiences to the emotional story that would later inspire the English-language remake.
Although praised by many viewers, the original film also received criticism because its deaf characters were portrayed by hearing actors, a topic that became an important point of discussion in later adaptations.
2. CODA (2021)
The second and internationally recognized version is CODA, written and directed by Sian Heder.
The title stands for "Child of Deaf Adults," a term used to describe hearing children raised by one or more deaf parents.
Rather than simply translating the French film, Heder reimagined the story with greater authenticity by casting deaf actors in the principal deaf roles. This decision was widely praised by both critics and members of the Deaf community.
The result was one of the most acclaimed films of 2021.
The Story
CODA centers on Ruby Rossi, the only hearing member of a deaf family that operates a struggling fishing business.
Ruby serves as the primary interpreter for her parents and older brother, helping them communicate with customers, doctors, and government officials. While her family depends heavily on her, Ruby discovers that she possesses an extraordinary singing voice after joining her high school's choir.
As her music teacher encourages her to apply to a prestigious music college, Ruby finds herself caught between pursuing her own dreams and remaining with the family that needs her every day.
The film explores universal themes including:
Family loyalty
Personal ambition
Communication
Identity
Love
Sacrifice
Independence
Its emotional honesty and heartfelt storytelling helped it connect with audiences across cultures.
Who Starred in CODA?
One of the film's greatest strengths is its remarkable cast.
Emilia Jones as Ruby Rossi
British actress Emilia Jones delivers an outstanding performance as Ruby. She spent months learning American Sign Language (ASL), improving her singing abilities, and even working on fishing boats to prepare for the role.
Her performance perfectly balances youthful optimism with emotional maturity.
Marlee Matlin as Jackie Rossi
Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin plays Ruby's mother, Jackie.
Already a Hollywood trailblazer, Matlin became the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award for her role in Children of a Lesser God (1986). Her performance in CODA adds warmth, humor, and emotional depth to the family dynamic.
Troy Kotsur as Frank Rossi
Troy Kotsur portrays Ruby's father, Frank.
His charismatic, funny, and deeply emotional performance became one of the film's biggest highlights and earned widespread critical acclaim.
Daniel Durant as Leo Rossi
Daniel Durant plays Ruby's older brother, Leo.
His character struggles with feelings of independence while trying to prove he can successfully help run the family business without relying entirely on Ruby.
Eugenio Derbez as Bernardo Villalobos
Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez portrays Ruby's passionate choir director.
His encouragement inspires Ruby to believe in her talent and pursue her dreams despite overwhelming obstacles.
Ferdia Walsh-Peelo as Miles
Miles becomes Ruby's friend and eventual love interest, providing emotional support throughout her journey.
Why Was the Cast So Important?
One reason CODA received such widespread praise was its authentic representation.
Unlike the original French adaptation, the three principal deaf family members were portrayed by deaf actors:
Marlee Matlin
Troy Kotsur
Daniel Durant
This casting decision brought greater realism to the performances and marked an important step forward for disability representation in Hollywood.
Many critics described the family interactions as the emotional heart of the movie.
Awards and Recognition
CODA enjoyed one of the most remarkable awards seasons in recent memory.
Academy Awards
The film won three Academy Awards:
Best Picture
Best Supporting Actor (Troy Kotsur)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Sian Heder)
These victories were historic for several reasons.
CODA became:
The first film distributed by Apple TV+ to win Best Picture.
The first movie with a predominantly deaf cast to win Best Picture.
The first deaf male actor, Troy Kotsur, to win an Academy Award.
Sundance Film Festival
Before its Oscar success, CODA premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won four major awards:
Grand Jury Prize
Audience Award
Directing Award
Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast
Winning both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award is an exceptionally rare achievement, highlighting the film's appeal to both critics and general audiences.
Overall Awards
Across various critics' groups, film festivals, and industry organizations, CODA earned around 70 awards and received approximately 150 nominations.
These honors recognized:
Acting
Screenwriting
Directing
Ensemble cast
Independent filmmaking
Adapted screenplay
Best Picture
Why CODA Resonated With Audiences
The success of CODA wasn't driven by visual effects or massive action sequences. Instead, it relied on emotional authenticity and relatable storytelling.
The film addresses questions that many people face:
How do you follow your dreams without abandoning your family?
How do parents let their children become independent?
How can communication go beyond spoken language?
Its portrayal of Deaf culture also introduced many viewers to experiences they had rarely seen represented in mainstream cinema.
Rather than defining its characters solely by disability, CODA presents them as a loving, funny, flawed, and resilient family.
The Legacy of CODA
Today, CODA is widely regarded as one of the defining films of the 2020s. Its success demonstrated that intimate, character-driven stories can compete with blockbuster productions at the highest level of the film industry.
Perhaps even more importantly, it opened new conversations about authentic representation in Hollywood and created greater opportunities for deaf performers.
Its influence continues to be felt in casting decisions and discussions about diversity and inclusion in filmmaking.
Final Thoughts
Although CODA has been made only twice—as the French original La Famille Bélier (2014) and the English-language remake released in 2021—the latter has become a landmark achievement in modern cinema. With outstanding performances from Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, Daniel Durant, Eugenio Derbez, and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, the film tells a deeply moving story about family, ambition, and finding one's own voice.
Its remarkable awards journey—including three Academy Awards, four Sundance honors, and roughly 70 wins from more than 150 nominations—cements its place as one of the most celebrated films of its generation. More than just an award-winning movie, CODA is a heartfelt reminder that love, understanding, and determination can bridge even the widest communication gaps.
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