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Stories We Tell 2013

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.

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.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Stories We Tell

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.


Ratings and Reviews for Stories We Tell

See how Stories We Tell is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Stories We Tell stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

91

Metascore

7.9

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

94%

TOMATOMETER

review

79%

User Score

TMDB

71

%

User Score

Movie Insider

5.00/5

From 1 fan rating

Take the Ultimate Stories We Tell Movie Quiz

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Exploring 'Stories We Tell': Test your knowledge about the intriguing family dynamics and storytelling techniques in Sarah Polley's documentary 'Stories We Tell'.

Who is the director of 'Stories We Tell'?

Awards & Nominations for Stories We Tell

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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

Nomination

Best Documentary Feature

66th Directors Guild of America Awards 2014

Sarah Polley
Nomination

Documentaries

Sarah Polley

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Stories We Tell

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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.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Stories We Tell

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Official Trailer #1

Trailer

Stories We Tell Themes and Keywords

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Stories We Tell Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Stories We Tell across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


莎拉波莉家庭詩篇 Histórias que Contamos Les Histoires qu'on raconte Apáim története Historie rodzinne Anlattığımız Hikayeler 我们讲述的故事 Storie di famiglia סיפורים שאנו מספרים 우리가 들려줄 이야기 Історії які ми розповідаємо Истории которые мы рассказываем Ιστορίες Της Ζωής Μας

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Other Names for Stories We Tell

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for Stories We Tell. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


莎拉波莉家庭詩篇 Histórias que Contamos Les Histoires qu'on raconte Apáim története Historie rodzinne Anlattığımız Hikayeler 我们讲述的故事 Storie di famiglia סיפורים שאנו מספרים 우리가 들려줄 이야기 Історії які ми розповідаємо Истории которые мы рассказываем Ιστορίες Της Ζωής Μας

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