Stories We Tell (2012)
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- PG-13
- 1h 48min
- Documentary
- 17 Jan 2013 (Greece)
- Movie
A film that excavates layers of myth and memory to find the elusive truth at the core of a family of storytellers.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 25 wins & 44 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Michael Polley | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| Harry Gulkin | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| Susy Buchan | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| John Buchan | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| Mark Polley | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| Joanna Polley | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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Cathy Gulkin | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| Marie Murphy | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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Robert MacMillan | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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Anne Tait | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| Deirdre Bowen | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| Victoria Mitchell | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| Mort Ransen | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| Geoffrey Bowes | ... |
Self - Storyteller
(as Geoff Bowes)
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| Tom Butler | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| Pixie Bigelow | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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Claire Walker | ... |
Self - Storyteller
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| Rebecca Jenkins | ... |
Diane Polley
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Peter Evans | ... |
Michael Polley
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Alex Hatz | ... |
Harry Gulkin
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Justin Goodhand | ... |
John Buchan
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| Seamus Morrison | ... |
Mark Polley
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| Allie MacDonald | ... |
Joanna Polley
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Lani Billard | ... |
Susy Buchan
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| Andrew Church | ... |
Geoff Bowes
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| Dave Kiner | ... |
Wayne Robson
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| Jef Mallory | ... |
Tom Butler
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Kristen Corvers | ... |
Deirdre Bowen
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| Christine Horne | ... |
Anne Tait
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| Jeanie Calleja | ... |
Victoria Mitchell
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James Downing | ... |
Mort Ransen
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| Tracey Ferencz | ... |
Aunt Sheila
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Eric Hanson | ... |
Mark Polley (age 11)
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Kaylin Griffin | ... |
Joanna Polley (age 8)
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Mairtin O'Carrigan | ... |
Director (1967)
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| Thomas Hauff | ... |
Actor (The Caretaker)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Wayne Curnew | ... |
Garbage Collector (uncredited)
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| Diane Polley | ... |
Self (uncredited) (archiveFootage)
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| Sarah Polley | ... |
Self (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Sarah Polley | ||
Written by
| Sarah Polley | ... | (written by) |
| Michael Polley | ... | (narration) |
Produced by
| Silva Basmajian | ... | executive producer |
| Sonia Hosko | ... | producer: Interview with Michael |
| Anita Lee | ... | producer |
Cinematography by
| Iris Ng | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Mike Munn | ... | (as Michael Munn) |
Editorial Department
| Darcy Arthurs | ... | digital intermediate producer: Technicolor Toronto |
| Grace Carnale-Davis | ... | sales executive/representative: Technicolor Toronto |
| Joscelyn Goode | ... | film timer: Technicolor Toronto |
| Rob Gyorgy | ... | digital intermediate on-line editor: Technicolor Toronto (as Rev. Rob Gyorgy) |
| Margaret Hutz | ... | digital film technician: Technicolor Toronto (as Margaret Mansell) |
| Mark Kueper | ... | digital intermediate colorist: Technicolor Toronto |
| Justin Lovell | ... | additional dailies: Frame Discreet |
| Michelle Morris | ... | project manager: Technicolor New York |
| Josh Olive | ... | dailies colorist: Technicolor New York |
| Andrew Pascoe | ... | digital film supervisor: Technicolor Toronto |
| Brian Reid | ... | digital intermediate technical operations project manager: Technicolor Toronto |
| Lorraine Samuel | ... | post production supervisor |
Casting By
| John Buchan | ||
| Jason Knight | ||
Production Design by
| Lea Carlson | ||
Set Decoration by
| David Gruer | ||
Costume Design by
| Sarah Armstrong | ||
Makeup Department
| Teena Black | ... | daily makeup artist / makeup assistant |
| Lily Champniss | ... | daily hair stylist / hair assistant |
| Sarah Craig | ... | makeup artist (as Sarah Craig-McEathron) |
| Alastair Muir | ... | daily makeup artist / makeup assistant |
| Lucy M. Orton | ... | daily hair stylist (as Lucy Orton) / hair assistant (as Lucy Orton) |
| Josie Stewart | ... | hair stylist |
| Melanie Young | ... | Makeup and hair: Sarah Polley |
Production Management
| Janine Heath | ... | production manager |
| Lorraine Samuel | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Mark Wilson | ... | production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| David Forsyth | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Stephen Depko | ... | set dresser |
| Deirdra Morris | ... | buyer |
| Sasha Tolstoy | ... | set dresser |
| Polly-Jean Vernon | ... | property master (as Paul Vernon) |
| Deirdre Hughes | ... | graphic designer (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Shawn Dickey | ... | mix operator |
| Barry Gilmore | ... | dialogue editor |
| Krystin Hunter | ... | dialogue editor |
| Mandy Ley | ... | audio coordinator |
| Sanjay Mehta | ... | sound recordist |
| Joe Morrow | ... | re-recording mixer |
| David Rose | ... | sound recordist: Interview with Michael / supervising sound editor |
| Lou Solakofski | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Graham Rogers | ... | assistant re-recording mixer (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Adam Crosby | ... | electric |
| Michael Gibson | ... | still photographer |
| Bob Gordon Sr. | ... | additional camera |
| Sean Harvey | ... | grip |
| Christine Kleckner | ... | additional camera |
| Walter Klymkiw | ... | gaffer: Montreal |
| Christiopher Logan | ... | grip |
| Marcus Matyas | ... | additional camera |
| Kendall McColl | ... | daily gaffer |
| Hugh McJanet | ... | additional camera / gaffer |
| Sanjay Mehta | ... | additional camera |
| Alejandro Muñoz-Hernandez | ... | best boy electric (as Alejandro Munoz-Hernandez) |
| Eva Percewicz | ... | first assistant camera |
| Sarah Polley | ... | additional camera |
| David Sandomierski | ... | additional camera |
| Michael Wilde | ... | swing |
| Ken Woroner | ... | still photographer |
| Zach Zohr | ... | key grip |
Casting Department
| Nancy Botting-Harrison | ... | background casting: Exact Cast (as Nancy Harrison) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Adrienne Baker | ... | costume assistant |
| Nola Chaters | ... | costume assistant |
Location Management
| Catherine Crawford | ... | location scout |
| Marc Cunningham | ... | assistant location manager: Montreal |
| Fernando DaSilva | ... | assistant location manager (as Fernando Da Silva) |
| Roman Martyn | ... | location manager: Montreal |
| Eardley Wilmot | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Jonathan Goldsmith | ... | music arranger |
| Elizabeth Klinck | ... | music clearances |
Transportation Department
| Paul Brideau | ... | driver |
| Chris Rowles | ... | generator driver |
Additional Crew
| Kelley Alexander | ... | marketing manager |
| Cynthia Amsden | ... | unit publicist |
| Adam Belanger | ... | production assistant |
| Graeme Brown | ... | production assistant |
| Julian Brown | ... | title designer: ON THE CHASE! Motion + Design |
| Ryan Buller | ... | Camera Assistant |
| Stephanie Dagg | ... | craft service |
| Matt Hunwicks | ... | set production assistant (as Matthew Hunwicks) |
| Christine Kleckner | ... | production coordinator |
| Elizabeth Klinck | ... | visual researcher |
| Marcus Matyas | ... | technical coordinator |
| Jennifer Mesich | ... | set production coordinator |
| Missy Morris | ... | set production assistant: New York (as Missy Dingman) |
| Josiah Rothenberg | ... | centre administrator |
| Kate Vollum | ... | production coordinator |
| Dawn Weaver | ... | craft service |
| Andrew Martin-Smith | ... | assistant: studio administration (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Hussain Amarshi | ... | thanks |
| Stephen Andrews | ... | thanks |
| Sarah Arruda | ... | thanks |
| Michael Ball | ... | archival footage and photos courtesy of |
| Doug Block | ... | thanks |
| Dan Bowman | ... | thanks |
| John Buchan | ... | archival footage and photos courtesy of / special thanks |
| Susy Buchan | ... | archival footage and photos courtesy of |
| Brent Carver | ... | archival footage and photos courtesy of |
| Yung Chang | ... | thanks |
| Jody Colero | ... | thanks |
| Paul Cowan | ... | thanks |
| Chris Curreri | ... | thanks |
| Nicholas de Pencier | ... | thanks (as Nick de Pencier) |
| Christopher Donaldson | ... | thanks |
| Wayne Dunkley | ... | thanks |
| Atom Egoyan | ... | thanks |
| Gerry Flahive | ... | thanks |
| Lindsay Forslund | ... | thanks |
| Arnie Gelbart | ... | thanks |
| Phillipe Godeau | ... | thanks |
| Bob Gordon Jr. | ... | archival footage and photos courtesy of / thanks |
| Bob Gordon Sr. | ... | archival footage and photos courtesy of |
| Gisèle Gordon | ... | thanks (as Gisele Gordon) |
| Allison Grant | ... | thanks |
| John Greyson | ... | thanks |
| Cathy Gulkin | ... | archival footage and photos courtesy of |
| Corey Gulkin | ... | thanks |
| Harry Gulkin | ... | archival footage and photos courtesy of |
| Sturla Gunnarsson | ... | thanks (as Sturla Gunnarson) |
| Roslyn Kalloo | ... | thanks |
| Alan King | ... | thanks |
| France Lachapelle | ... | the producer would like to thank |
| Helen Lee | ... | thanks |
| Jared Leto | ... | thanks |
| Anria Loubser | ... | thanks |
| Sheena Macdonald | ... | thanks |
| Lea Marin | ... | thanks |
| Jerry McIntosh | ... | thanks |
| Kevin McMahon | ... | special thanks |
| Rebecca Mead | ... | thanks |
| Peter Mettler | ... | thanks |
| Linda Muir | ... | archival footage and photos courtesy of |
| Myron Natwick | ... | thanks |
| Kenneth Oakley | ... | the producer would like to thank |
| Michael Ondaatje | ... | thanks |
| Ruth Penner | ... | thanks |
| Anton Piatagorsky | ... | thanks |
| Mary Plasterer | ... | thanks |
| Polley Family | ... | archival footage and photos courtesy of |
| Jeffrey Remedios | ... | thanks |
| Ava Roth | ... | thanks |
| Kerri Sakamoto | ... | thanks |
| David Sandomierski | ... | thanks |
| Shelley Saywell | ... | thanks |
| Dixie Seattle | ... | thanks |
| Tim Southam | ... | thanks |
| Catherine Spence | ... | thanks |
| Jeffrey St. Jules | ... | thanks |
| Barry Stevens | ... | thanks |
| Amy Stewart | ... | thanks |
| Mick Sullivan | ... | thanks |
| Michael Tait | ... | thanks |
| Jane Tattersall | ... | thanks |
| Lorna Teare | ... | the producer would like to thank |
| Jaco Van Dormael | ... | thanks |
| John Walker | ... | thanks |
| Larry Weinstein | ... | thanks |
| Wim Wenders | ... | thanks |
| David Wharnsby | ... | thanks |
| Cindy Witten | ... | special thanks |
| Romas Zabas | ... | thanks |
| Nicola Zavaglia | ... | thanks |
| Alan Zweig | ... | thanks |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Mongrel Media (2012) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Roadside Attractions (2013) (United States) (theatrical)
- A-Film Benelux MSD (2013) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- A-Film Benelux MSD (2013) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Artificial Eye (2013) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Euro Space (2014) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Eurozoom (2013) (France) (theatrical)
- Fugu-Filmverleih (2014) (Germany) (theatrical)
- I Wonder Pictures (2015) (Italy) (theatrical)
- StraDa Films (2013) (Greece) (theatrical)
- Tofoo Films (2014) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Angel Films (2012) (Denmark)
- Angel Films (2013) (Denmark)
- Film1 (2014) (Netherlands) (tv) (limited)
- Folkets Bio (2013) (Sweden)
- Gutek Film (2013) (Poland)
- Koch Media (2014) (Germany) (DVD)
- Koch Media (2014) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Mozinet (2014) (Hungary)
- Palace Films (2013) (Australia)
- The Criterion Channel (2021) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- Vendetta Filmes (2013) (Portugal)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Exact Cast (background casting)
- Blazing Kitchen (catering)
- Rancho Relaxo (catering)
- Technicolor (dailies)
- Technicolor (digital intermediate)
- Tattersall Sound (audio post production facility)
- Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) (archival footage and photos courtesy of)
- Canadian Film Centre (CFC) (archival footage and photos courtesy of)
- Footage Farm (archival footage and photos courtesy of)
- Galafilm Productions (archival footage and photos courtesy of)
- Getty Images (archival footage and photos courtesy of)
- Pan Européenne (archival footage and photos courtesy of)
- Pathé (archival footage and photos courtesy of)
- Wild Bunch (archival footage and photos courtesy of)
- Sun Media Corporation (archival footage and photos courtesy of)
- LeFeaver Talent Management (archival footage and photos courtesy of)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (copyright 1930 Anna Christie directed by Clarence Brown)
- Les Films Concordia (copyright 1964 Marriage Italian Style directed by Vittorio De Sica)
- Compagnia Cinematografica Champion (copyright 1964 Marriage Italian Style directed by Vittorio De Sica)
- O.W. Toad (copyright 1996 Alias Grace written by Margaret Atwood)
- McClelland & Stewart (publisher: Alias Grace, Canada)
- Nan A. Talese (publisher: Alias Grace, US)
- Doubleday (publisher: Alias Grace, US)
- Random House (publisher: Alias Grace, US)
- Absolute Location Support Services (the producer would like to thank)
- Allan Gardens (the producer would like to thank)
- Alumnae Theatre (the producer would like to thank)
- Apple Self Storage (the producer would like to thank)
- Berman & Company (the producer would like to thank)
- Bethany Baptist Church (the producer would like to thank)
- Budget Car & Truck Rental (the producer would like to thank)
- Cabaret Vintage (the producer would like to thank)
- Camera Department (the producer would like to thank)
- Centaur Theatre (the producer would like to thank)
- Codes Pro Media (the producer would like to thank)
- Douglas Poole Antiques (the producer would like to thank)
- Enterprise Rent A Car (the producer would like to thank)
- Film Prep (the producer would like to thank)
- Fuji Photo Film (the producer would like to thank)
- Hand Prop (the producer would like to thank)
- Henry's (the producer would like to thank)
- Juul Haalmeyer Designs (the producer would like to thank)
- The Canwest Hot Docs Completion Fund (the producer would like to thank)
- Ian Drummond Collection (the producer would like to thank)
- Kensington Communications (the producer would like to thank)
- Kodak Canada (the producer would like to thank)
- La Castile (the producer would like to thank)
- Little Feet (the producer would like to thank)
- Location Equipment Supply (the producer would like to thank)
- Lock Up Props (the producer would like to thank)
- Magic Bus Company (the producer would like to thank)
- Mojo Props & Set Dressing (the producer would like to thank)
- Montreal Film and Television Commission (the producer would like to thank)
- Multimedia Transcripts (the producer would like to thank)
- National Car Rental (the producer would like to thank)
- Old-Fashioned Restoration (the producer would like to thank)
- Outer Margins Design (the producer would like to thank)
- PS Production Services (the producer would like to thank)
- SIM Video Productions (the producer would like to thank)
- St Luke's United Church (the producer would like to thank)
- Studio City Rentals (the producer would like to thank)
- Sun Media Corporation (the producer would like to thank)
- Take One Film Support (the producer would like to thank)
- The Toronto Film and Television Office (the producer would like to thank)
- Toronto Police (the producer would like to thank)
- Total Two-Way (the producer would like to thank)
- Walmer Road Baptist Church (the producer would like to thank)
- Walter Lighting & Grip (the producer would like to thank)
- Orange Lounge Recordings (additional sound recording facility)
- On the Chase! Motion + Design (title design)
- Kodak Canada (film stock)
- Frame Discreet (additional dailies)
- CFC NFB Documentary Program (developed with the assistance of)
- Shaw Media Hot Docs Completion Fund (developed with the assistance of)
- CPH: DOX (festival)
- Montclair Film Festival (festival)
- Sundance Film Festival (festival)
- Toronto International Film Festival (festival)
- Visual Icon (exclusive clip and still licensing)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In this inspired, genre-twisting new film, Oscar®-nominated writer/director Sarah Polley discovers that the truth depends on who's telling it. Polley is both filmmaker and detective as she investigates the secrets kept by a family of storytellers. She playfully interviews and interrogates a cast of characters of varying reliability, eliciting refreshingly candid, yet mostly contradictory, answers to the same questions. As each relates their version of the family mythology, present-day recollections shift into nostalgia-tinged glimpses of their mother, who departed too soon, leaving a trail of unanswered questions. Polley unravels the paradoxes to reveal the essence of family: always complicated, warmly messy and fiercely loving. Stories We Tell explores the elusive nature of truth and memory, but at its core is a deeply personal film about how our narratives shape and define us as individuals and families, all interconnecting to paint a profound, funny and poignant picture of the larger human story. Written by The National Film Board of Canada |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Sarah collected all the stories first. She went through all the period footage she had available. After that, she hired actors to recreate and reenact bits filmed on 8mm to complete the missing period footage. This explains why there is always "proof" of all the raconteurs stories. It works rather as flashbacks to place us in situation. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Venice Film Festival 2012 (2012). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Tranquility See more » |
| Quotes |
Michael Polley - Storyteller:
When you're in the middle of a story, it isn't a story at all but rather a confusion, a dark roaring, a blindness, a wreckage of shattered glass and splintered wood, like a house in a whirlwind or else a boat crushed by the icebergs or swept over the rapids, and all aboard are powerless to stop it. It's only afterwards that it becomes anything like a story at all, when you're telling it to yourself or someone else. See more » |