I've Heard the Mermaids Singing (1987) ( Le Chant des sirènes )

I've Heard the Mermaids Singing (1987) (DVD) (*)

$32.99

Alternate Title: Le Chant des sirènes
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Cannes Film Festival
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
French ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
French ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
France ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
83 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.66:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1987 and produced in:
Canada ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Patricia Rozema

Written By:
Patricia Rozema

Actors:
Sheila McCarthy ..... Polly Vandersma
Paule Baillargeon ..... Gabrielle St. Peres
Ann-Marie MacDonald ..... Mary Joseph
Richard Monette ..... Clive
John Evans ..... Warren
Brenda Kamino ..... Waitress

Synopsis:

Lensed on a smile and a shoeshine on 16 millimeter, I've Heard the Mermaids Singing effectively shifts from black and white to color and back again to make its artistic statement. Sheila McCarthy stars as a self-effacing amateur photographer who goes to work for yuppie art-curator Paule Baillargeon. Ms. McCarthy expresses her admiration for Ms. Baillargeon by secretly submitting the latter's paintings to some appreciative critics. Baillargeon responds by behaving atrociously towards McCarthy. This shakes up McCarthy to the point that she realizes she'll never succeed as an artist on her own terms long as she hides behind the accomplishments of others. This apparently autobiographical first film by director Patricia Rozema (we say 'apparently' because Sheila McCarthy's character name is rhythmically and ethnically close to Rozema's) won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the Cannes Film Festival.

Scatterbrained Polly gets a job as a secretary in Gabrielle's art gallery. Gabrielle has a romantic relationship with the painter Mary. Polly hangs a picture by Mary believing that Gabrielle made it.

An engaging temporary secretary confronts the superficiality of the art world.

This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 06 April, 2016.