A Woman's Tale (1991)

Uplifting and intimate look at the last days of an elderly cancer victim. The film is even more relevant as it was written specifically for the lead actress, Sheila Florance, who was in ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Cox

Writers:

Paul Cox, Barry Dickins

Stars:

Sheila Florance, Gosia Dobrowolska, Norman Kaye

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sheila Florance	...	Martha
Gosia Dobrowolska	...	Anna
Norman Kaye	...	Billy
Chris Haywood	...	Jonathan
Ernie Gray	...	Peter (as Ernest Gray)
Myrtle Woods	...	Miss Inchley
Bruce Myles	...	Con 1
Alex Menglet	...	Con 2
François Bernard	...	Neighbor
Manuel Bachet	...	Neighbor
Monica Maughan	...	Billy's daughter
Max Gillies	...	Billy's son-in-law
Tony Llewellyn-Jones	...	Celebrant
David Reid	...	Don
Dawn Klingberg	...	Don's wife

Storyline

Uplifting and intimate look at the last days of an elderly cancer victim. The film is even more relevant as it was written specifically for the lead actress, Sheila Florance, who was in fact dying of cancer as she created what is essentially a self-portrait.

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Plot Keywords:

australia | independent film

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1991 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Egy asszony meséje

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Gross:

$405,137 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Beyond Films, Illumination Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The relatively limited budget for the film prompted director Paul Cox to order his Continuity department to stop taking Polaroid photographs, as the project could not withstand the expense.

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Connections

Featured in A Journey with Paul Cox (1996)

User Reviews

A Life-Affirming View Of Dying

A WOMAN'S TALE. A touching, sensitive, Australian film about an elderly woman dying of cancer (played by 78 year old actress Sheila Florance who knew she was dying of cancer when the film was being made) who has lost none of her joie de vivre and continues to live life to the fullest without the smallest hint of self-pity for her future death, which she knows is imminent.

The marvelous thing about this film is watching Florance's cheerful disposition, while those around her wear long faces. Through flashbacks, we see the tragedy of her past life; and in the present, the resignation of the other old people living in her apartment building who once led formerly productive, vigorous lives, but have now given up. She never gives up and this strength inspires much younger people------who only grudgingly tolerate her-----to admire her strength and see older people in a different way. This used to be referred to as a "small film" but with great feeling behind it.