When Sarah Polley decided to make a documentary about the mother she lost as a girl of 11, she had no idea of the extraordinary family secret she would unearth. The acclaimed Canadian film-maker talks about the often painful burden of exploring the lives of loved ones – and why she thinks marriage is a 'crazy and optimistic' institution
As I fly to Canada to meet Sarah Polley, I think about the glimpses of her in Stories We Tell – her first full-length documentary feature, which bowled over critics at Sundance and the Venice film festival and has won Canada's Film of the Year award. She looks like a contemplative Madonna on screen, with long, fair hair. She listens more than she talks. She encourages her family to speak. Her film may be her story – but she gets others to tell it. Michael Polley, her British-born father – an actor who worked for an...
As I fly to Canada to meet Sarah Polley, I think about the glimpses of her in Stories We Tell – her first full-length documentary feature, which bowled over critics at Sundance and the Venice film festival and has won Canada's Film of the Year award. She looks like a contemplative Madonna on screen, with long, fair hair. She listens more than she talks. She encourages her family to speak. Her film may be her story – but she gets others to tell it. Michael Polley, her British-born father – an actor who worked for an...
- 6/23/2013
- by Kate Kellaway
- The Guardian - Film News
Director Sarah Polley describes the controversy over her infidelity drama Take This Waltz as 'too interesting to even be sensitive about'
Sarah Polley's new film is an adulterers' apologia. Or, it's the opposite: a cold shower caution against letting lust jeopardise a happy marriage. Take This Waltz – in which a woman, played by Michelle Williams, flirts with infidelity – polarised audiences from the off.
The day after its premiere at the Toronto film festival, Polley reported: "I've heard people say: 'It made me feel so good about leaving my long-term relationship.' I've heard people say: 'How could she leave such a great guy? I hated her for that.' People feel very passionately one way or another, and they also feel certain that the film backs up their point of view. I'd hoped they'd project their own relationship history on to it, even if it's an unconscious process."
That was nearly a year ago.
Sarah Polley's new film is an adulterers' apologia. Or, it's the opposite: a cold shower caution against letting lust jeopardise a happy marriage. Take This Waltz – in which a woman, played by Michelle Williams, flirts with infidelity – polarised audiences from the off.
The day after its premiere at the Toronto film festival, Polley reported: "I've heard people say: 'It made me feel so good about leaving my long-term relationship.' I've heard people say: 'How could she leave such a great guy? I hated her for that.' People feel very passionately one way or another, and they also feel certain that the film backs up their point of view. I'd hoped they'd project their own relationship history on to it, even if it's an unconscious process."
That was nearly a year ago.
- 8/10/2012
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
Michelle Williams has become Hollywood’s favorite unfulfilled pretty housewife. In Brokeback Mountain, she played the wife of Heath Ledger’s closeted gay cowboy; in Shutter Island, she played the ghost of a woman who’d given up on the world; and in Blue Valentine, she was the wife coming to grips with what marriage can become after the initial pangs of love. In director Sarah Polley’s Take This Waltz, out June 29, she seems to be at it again, playing a conflicted wife tempted by the excitement of an extramarital affair after five years of numbing monotony with her comfortable husband,...
- 2/7/2012
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
Michael Jackson has become a Muslim. The singer changed his name to Mikaeel in a ceremony at a friend's Los Angeles home just days before he is due in court.
Jackson, 50, is facing allegations of borrowing million from Arab sheikh Abdulla Al-Khalifa and failing to repay the sum by recording two new albums, writing an autobiography and penning a musical.
The cash-strapped star - who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness - was convinced to turn to Islam by producer Phillip Bubal and songwriter David Wharnsby.
A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "They began talking to him about their beliefs and how they thought they had become better people after they converted."...
Jackson, 50, is facing allegations of borrowing million from Arab sheikh Abdulla Al-Khalifa and failing to repay the sum by recording two new albums, writing an autobiography and penning a musical.
The cash-strapped star - who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness - was convinced to turn to Islam by producer Phillip Bubal and songwriter David Wharnsby.
A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "They began talking to him about their beliefs and how they thought they had become better people after they converted."...
- 11/21/2008
- icelebz.com
TORONTO -- Canadian actress-turned-director Sarah Polley dominated the Directors Guild of Canada Awards on Saturday night with her debut feature "Away From Her".
The drama about an aged couple (Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie) grappling with the effects of Alzheimer's disease earned the best picture trophy and best director prize Saturday night for Polley ("Dawn of the Dead").
Polley's husband, David Wharnsby, won for picture editing.
Other winners at the awards ceremony in Toronto included the CBC drama "Dragon Boys", taking the best TV movie or miniseries prize, and CTV's sitcom "Corner Gas" winning for best TV comedy.
The best TV series director award went to Stephen Surjik for the CBC drama "Intelligence", while Sturla Gunnarsson won for best TV movie/miniseries direction on "Above and Beyond".
The DGC also said that career bureaucrat Brian Anthony will be its next executive director and CEO beginning Nov. 12. Anthony has served as executive director at the Heritage Canada Foundation and chief of staff to the minister of communications in Ottawa.
The drama about an aged couple (Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie) grappling with the effects of Alzheimer's disease earned the best picture trophy and best director prize Saturday night for Polley ("Dawn of the Dead").
Polley's husband, David Wharnsby, won for picture editing.
Other winners at the awards ceremony in Toronto included the CBC drama "Dragon Boys", taking the best TV movie or miniseries prize, and CTV's sitcom "Corner Gas" winning for best TV comedy.
The best TV series director award went to Stephen Surjik for the CBC drama "Intelligence", while Sturla Gunnarsson won for best TV movie/miniseries direction on "Above and Beyond".
The DGC also said that career bureaucrat Brian Anthony will be its next executive director and CEO beginning Nov. 12. Anthony has served as executive director at the Heritage Canada Foundation and chief of staff to the minister of communications in Ottawa.
- 10/2/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Actress-turned-filmmaker Sarah Polley emerged the big winner at the 2008 Directors Guild Of Canada Awards on Saturday - her movie Away From Her took home three honors, including Best Director. The movie was also named Best Picture, while Polley's husband David Wharnsby won the award for Best Picture Editing. Elsewhere, Best Television Movie Or Miniseries went to Dragon Boys, while the prize for Best Television Drama was awarded to Slings And Arrows.
- 10/2/2007
- WENN
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