Stories We Tell Image File
: Mix genuine family relics, such as IMDb photos from Stories We Tell , with staged re-enactments. The film famously uses Super 8 footage that "misleads the spectator" by looking like real home videos despite being performed by actors.
: Focus on the "wrinkles" of a story rather than neat resolutions. As noted by reviewers on RogerEbert.com , Polley avoids heroes and villains, instead showing the messy, human side of memory. Guide to Producing the Image Narrative Stories We Tell image
You can follow these steps to build a visual story that mirrors Polley's theory of autobiography: The ABCs of Connection ⋆ Film Matters Magazine : Mix genuine family relics, such as IMDb
To capture the specific aesthetic and narrative depth of the film, focus on these visual and conceptual layers: As noted by reviewers on RogerEbert
: Incorporate "mis-en-scène" that includes the tools of storytelling itself. Show the camera rigs, mixing desks, or microphones to create a "reflexive" style that reminds the audience they are watching a constructed narrative.
: Use medium to medium-close-up shots for interviews. This mimics the "participatory interview" style Polley used to draw out intimate, often contradictory family secrets.