Filmmaker Sarah Polley explores her family's past, uncovering long-held secrets and challenging her understanding of love, memory, and identity. Through interviews with relatives and archival footage, she pieces together a complex narrative that reveals surprising truths and redefines her perception of her own history. The film is a deeply personal and moving exploration of family dynamics and the power of storytelling.
Does Stories We Tell have end credit scenes?
No!
Stories We Tell does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of Stories We Tell, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.
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91
Metascore
7.9
User Score
94%
TOMATOMETER
79%
User Score
71
%
User Score
5.00/5
From 1 fan rating
Challenge your knowledge of Stories We Tell with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.
Who is the director of 'Stories We Tell'?
Sarah Polley
Michael Polley
Harry Gulkin
Rebecca Jenkins
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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Stories We Tell, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Stories We Tell and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.
19th Critics' Choice Awards 2014
Best Documentary Feature
66th Directors Guild of America Awards 2014
Read the complete plot summary of Stories We Tell, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
The film delves into the intricate relationship between Polley’s parents, Michael and Diane Polley, shedding light on the dramatic revelation that the filmmaker herself is the product of an extramarital affair involving her mother and Montreal producer Harry Gulkin. This poignant documentary weaves together interviews with Polley’s siblings from her mother’s two marriages and conversations with various relatives and family friends. It also features Michael Polley’s narration of his memoir, complemented by stunning Super-8 footage that is crafted to emulate genuine home movies chronicling significant moments in Polley’s family life.
The faux home video sequences feel remarkably authentic, attributed to the thoughtful casting choices, with Rebecca Jenkins portraying Diane, who unfortunately passed away due to cancer on January 10, 1990, just a week before Polley’s 11th birthday. Distinctively, Polley devoted five years to the completion of this documentary, often taking breaks to reflect and regroup her thoughts during the process.
In a revealing blog post on the NFB.ca website, Polley shares that multiple journalists, including Brian D. Johnson and Matthew Hays, had been aware of the narrative surrounding her biological father for an extended period. However, they graciously respected Polley’s desire to maintain the privacy of this matter until she felt prepared to share her story authentically in her own voice.
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