Sudbury International Film Festival will present Sarah Polley's directorial debut, Away From Her, as the closing gala presentation, Sunday, Sept. 24.
Polley and Canadian actor Gordon Pinsent are expected to attend
the festival.
Polley is best known for her TV role on Road to Avonlea, but
she has numerous film credits. This year Polley received ACTRA
Toronto's 2006 Award of Excellence. She has attended the
Sudbury festival previously.
Pinsent is perhaps Canada's biggest television and movie
star. He has appeared in television shows such as Due South,
The Red Green Show, Made in Canada and A Gift to Last. His
movie credits include The Rowdyman.
Away from Her, which has Julie Christie in the lead role, is based on an Alice Munro short story, The Bear Came Over the Mountain.
Christie's character (Fiona) has Alzheimer's disease.
When her husband Grant (played by Pinsent) moves Fiona into a nursing home, he is not allowed to visit for the first month so that she can "adjust." When he sees her again, she has forgotten him and turned her affection to Aubrey, another resident. Heartbroken, Grant visits daily, bearing witness to the growing bond between Fiona and Aubrey.
When Aubrey goes home, Fiona becomes deeply depressed, and
Grant embarks on his greatest act of self-sacrifice.
The 18th edition of Cinefest Sudbury runs from Sept. 16 to
24. All films will be shown at Cineplex Galaxy SilverCity
Sudbury cinemas on Barrydowne Rd.
Other gala programs are:
- Sunday, Sept. 17,  Snowcake, UK/Canada, 
-  Monday, Sept. 18, Catch a Fire,  USA, 
-  Tuesday, Sept. 19, Volver, Spain,
-  Wednesday, Sept. 20, After the Wedding,
Denmark/Sweden, 
-  Thursday, Sept. 21, Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont,
UK, 
-  Friday, Sept. 22,  Le secret de ma mère, 
Canada,
-  Saturday, Sept. 23, Bobby,  USA
This year's festival passport is $175 and includes access to
the opening party, gala film presentations, cocktail receptions
and unlimited access to all film presentations and forums.
Passports are only available for purchase from the Cinéfest
Sudbury office (45 Durham St., Suite 103).
Tickets for gala films and other features can be purchased individually or as part of a package. Gala tickets are available at the Cinéfest Sudbury office, Black Cat Too, Gloria's Convenience and online.
