Team Deakins SARAH POLLEY - Writer / Director / Actor
Jul 19, 2023
Writer, director, and actor Sarah Polley discusses her early career in acting, transitioning to directing, and the inspiration she drew from director Atom Egoyan. She also reveals the Sidney Lumet film that helped her while working on WOMEN TALKING. Sarah shares insights on collaboration, preparation, and the challenges of adapting a conversation-based story. She addresses the challenges faced by women in the film industry and highlights the power of collaboration and trust in filmmaking.
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From Child Actor To Filmmaker
- Sarah Polley started as a child actor at age five and quit acting in her early teens after traumatic experiences.
- She later returned to acting, then gradually moved into directing after making her own short films and loving the collaboration.
A Traumatic Set Shaped Her Values
- Sarah described a frightening experience on Terry Gilliam's The Adventures of Baron Munchausen involving explosives and cold-water stunts.
- That set convinced her she rejected the 'mad genius' model and shaped how she wanted to direct.
Directing Unlocks The 'Interesting Parts'
- Directing gave Polley access to the 'interesting parts' of filmmaking she missed as an actor.
- She became addicted to the intensity of collaborative visual work with her cinematographer.