ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION INFORMATION

Art Director Bishop, Dan

Art Director Freas, Dianna

Cinematographer Deakins, Roger

Costume Design Flynt, Cynthia

Executive Producer Sloss, John

Film Editor Sayles, John

Music Daring, Mason

Producer Green, Sarah

Producer Renzi, Maggie

Screenwriter Sayles, John

Sound Zelniker, Mel

Production Company Atchafalaya Films, Inc.

Principal Cast Bassett, Angela

Principal Cast Burmester, Leo

Principal Cast Curtis-Hall, Vondie

Principal Cast Dunn, Nora

Principal Cast Henry, John

Principal Cast Kelley, Sheila

Principal Cast McDonnell, Mary

Principal Cast Portser, Mary

Principal Cast Strathairn, David

Principal Cast Willis, Shauntisa

Principal Cast Woodard, Alfre

DESCRIPTION

TIFF NOTE

John Sayles' new film, "Passion Fish," is about the power of the unexpected -- unexpected accidents, unexpected places and, most of all, unexpected friendships. The film reunites Mary McDonnell and Alfre Woodard, both recently acclaimed in Lawrence Kasdan's "Grand Canyon." Centring on the drama and revelations of the relationship between these two women, Passion Fish is an intimate look at the potent force of friendship. Soap opera star May-Alice (McDonnell) is on her way to have her legs waxed on Manhattan's fashionable upper West Side when she is hit by a speeding taxi and paralysed from the waist down. Rebelling at the discipline and indignities of physical rehabilitation, her pride drives her to retreat from life, taking her back to the Louisiana bayou country of her childhood. Hiding out in the house of her long-dead parents, drinking hard, she becomes a selfish, neurotic bitch who terrorizes a series of nurse-caretakers. She succeeds in driving each of them from the house, until Chantelle (Woodard) arrives. Chantelle is a mystery, proud and troubled, hiding from her past, but able to match May- Alice's unpredictable will with her own. Soon the Bayou country (and its wonderful men) starts to work its magic on them. Although the film begins with a rather melodramatic premise, the acerbic intelligence of the script and the complex, gutsy performances of the actors make this film a rare experience. Sayles' characteristic attention to the visual image also pays off in the sharply aggressive camera movement indoors and the mist-laden, evocative Bayou exteriors.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING HISTORY

TIFF CINEMATHEQUE PROGRAMMING HISTORY

TIFF YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING HISTORY

SUBJECTS

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FRL-38220 research file