Sarah Polley

Sarah Polley: biography

Sarah Polley is a Canadian actress, writer, director, and political activist who began her acting career as a child and has since become one of the most respected and acclaimed filmmakers in the industry.

Childhood and youth

Sarah Polley was born on January 8, 1979, in Toronto, Canada. She grew up in a family of artists and began acting at the age of four, appearing in commercials and television shows. As a child, she became known for her role as Ramona Quimby in the Canadian TV series "Ramona," which was based on the popular children's books by Beverly Cleary.

Polley continued to act as a teenager, appearing in several Canadian movie and television productions. She also began to develop an interest in writing and directing, and took classes in these areas during her high school years. Despite her success as a child actor, Polley decided to pursue a career in the movie sphere, and went on to study at the Canadian Film Centre's Director's Lab.

Throughout her youth and early adulthood, Polley established herself as one of the most talented and versatile performers in Canadian movie and television, and her work continues to be widely acclaimed and admired today.

Directing career

Sarah Polley's directing career began to take shape in the mid-2000s, when she made her directorial debut with the 2006 film "Away from Her." The film was based on a short story by Alice Munro and starred Julie Christie as a woman with Alzheimer's who falls in love with another patient at a nursing home. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning several awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Since then, Polley has continued to direct and produce film and television projects, both in Canada and internationally. She has been praised for her ability to create thought-provoking and emotionally resonant stories that explore complex themes and relationships.

One of Polley's most notable directorial efforts is the 2012 documentary "Stories We Tell," which explores her own family history and the truth behind a long-held family secret. The film was widely acclaimed and received numerous awards, including the Genie Award for Best Documentary.

Polley's other directing credits include the feature movies "Take This Waltz" (2011) and "Thesa Ziegler" (2018), as well as episodes of the television series "Alias Grace" (2017) and "State of the Union" (2019). Throughout her directing career, Polley has continued to demonstrate her versatility as a filmmaker, tackling a wide range of subjects and styles, and earning widespread critical acclaim for her work.

Writing career

Sarah Polley has also established herself as a talented writer, both in film and television. She wrote the screenplay for her directorial debut "Away from Her" (2006), which was based on a short story by Alice Munro and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Polley has also written for television, including the series "State of the Union" (2019), for which she received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Writing in a Dramatic Series. In addition, she has written several essays and articles on film, politics, and social issues, and has been published in various magazines and online forums.

Polley's writing is characterized by its emotional depth, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated her ability to explore difficult and sensitive subjects with intelligence and insight, and her writing continues to be highly regarded by audiences and critics alike.

Personal life

Sarah Polley is a private person and has not shared much about her personal life with the public. It is known that she has been married twice, first to Canadian filmmaker David Wharnsby and later to longtime partner, actor and director David Sandomierski with whom they have three children together, two daughters and a son.

In addition to her work in film and television, Polley is also a political activist and has been involved in various causes, including environmentalism and women's rights. She has been a vocal advocate for progressive political and social issues, and has used her platform to raise awareness and support for important causes.

Polley has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, and continues to be widely respected and admired in the film and television industries. Despite her success, she remains dedicated to her craft and continues to be an influential figure in the world of film and television.

Filmography

Movies:

• The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
• Go (1999)
• My Life ithout Me (2003)
• Dawn of the Dead (2004)
• Away from Her (2006)
• Take This Waltz (2011)
• Stories We Tell (2012)
• Thea Ziegler (2018)

Television:

• Ramona (1988-1989)
• Road to Avonlea (1990-1996)
• Alias Grace (2017)
• State of the Union (2019)

Awards and nominations

Awards:

• Canadian Screen Award for Best Directing in a Documentary Program or Series for "Stories We Tell" (2013)
• Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Canadian Film for "Take This Waltz" (2011)
• Genie Award for Best Documentary for "Stories We Tell" (2013)

Nominations:

• Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for "Away from Her" (2007)
• Canadian Screen Award for Best Writing in a Dramatic Series for "State of the Union" (2020)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for "Away from Her" (2007)
• Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay for "Go" (2000)

These are just a few of the many awards and nominations that Sarah Polley has received throughout her career. She continues to be recognized for her talent and achievements in film and television, and her work continues to be widely celebrated and admired by audiences and critics alike.