Stories We Tell
dir. Sarah Polley · 2012
The complexity of human relationships and the stories we tell about ourselves shape our identities and understanding of truth.
"Stories We Tell" is a poignant exploration of memory and identity, where Sarah Polley unravels the complex tapestry of her family's history through a playful yet profound lens. This documentary invites viewers to reflect on how our narratives shape who we are, making it a must-watch for anyone intrigued by the intricacies of personal storytelling.
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.
Talking points
- the nature of truth in storytelling
- the impact of memory on identity
- family dynamics and secrets
- the role of documentary in personal exploration
