Sarah Polley’s Stories We Tell is an incredibly intimate look at the notion there are three sides to every story: yours, mine and the truth – here Polley explores the way collective memory formulates a story – and how parts of a story unfold through multiple narrators often finding out information second and third hand. Stories We Tell is just that – a study in the power of the subjective. As Elvis Mitchell stated when he interviewed Polley on his KCRW radio show – this completes a trilogy of films (her first two the very strong and powerful Away From Her, and the second – the fascinating mess Take This Waltz). All three prominently feature women figuring out something about themselves: Take This Waltz the story of a women finding out quite literally she needs to find out who she is before she can be happy with anyone else.Stories We Tell is about the influence of others on our lives: Polley’s mother, Diane Elizabeth was an actress who frequently traveled between Montréal and their home in Toronto. Diane tragically passed away from cancer following Sarah’s 11th birthday – leaving Michael Polley to raise their three children. We later learn (with 99% certainty) Sarah’s biological father is producer Harry Gulkin, a shy man whom Diane fell in love with and had a life with in Montréal.
While Polley and Gulkin get to know each other the story is leaked to the press before Polley breaks the news to her “dad”, Michael. At the center of the story is a touching letter Michael has written to Sarah as these events unfold.
Incorporating 16MM recreations to spice up the professionally shot “talking heads” interviews with Polley’s family, new family and friends of her mother, Stories We Tell is an amazing, brave feat of filmmaking. Stories We Tell is a warm, inviting, brave and heartbreaking all at once: we all know families with similar stories.
Screening: Dipson Amherst Theatre
