Watch: Stories we Tell (2012)

Now, we’re going to use these notions of emotion, point-of-view and illusion watch a 2012 personal documentary/essay film directed by Sarah Polley called Stories We Tell.

 

VideoWatch Stories We Tell (2012) Links to an external site.(1hr 48 min)

The central story follows Sarah Polley, a famous Canadian actress and filmmaker, investigating the life of her mother Diana Polley through the voice of many members of her family. Saying any more would risk spoiling it.

 

 

Pay attention to the relationship between diegetic and non-diegetic imagery here and how she uses different materials for each. Also, make sure you keep up with the story of the film and the characters, as I will be asking about them generally for the quiz.

Here are some discussion questions that will help you form your discussion response on the next page:

  • How does Stories we Tell use narrative structure, editing, lighting, cinematography etc. to foreground emotional details to viewers?
  • Consider the film’s unique use of Super 8 “home” footage and contemporary digital cinematography. How does it create a perceptive illusion for the viewer?
  • How does Polley use visual language or mis-en-scene techniques to portray a character's mental condition? 
  • Through this unique use of hybrid footage, how does Polley deliberately break the diegetic illusion in the film to reveal the structure of the film to the viewer?
  • How does Polley formally utilize Smith's two functions of point-of-view in cinema? 
  • How does Stories we Tell create sympathy in the audience through recognition, alignment and allegiance?
    • Recognition: Spectators identify representations and performances as characters.
    • Alignment: Provides access to what characters know and feel through POV and subjective imagery.
    • Allegiance: Spectators choose allies in the film based on their moral and ideological evaluation of the character. 

 

You can watch the film for free, hosted through Swank, at this link: 

Watch Stories We Tell Links to an external site.

On the next page, you'll participate in a discussion about the film. --->