SARAH POLLEY CONFIRMS PREGNANCY

Sarah Polley & Mr. Will-W. - June 2011

Just four days ahead of her TIFF Premiere for Take this Waltz, Actress/Director/Writer Sarah Polley has confirmed that she is three-and-a-half months pregnant with a Child from her Husband, Law Teacher David Sandomierski.

That would mean that when I last ran into her in June outside the National Film Board of Canada (seen above), she already had just conceived this first Child. Amaze.  At that time Polley wasn't able to confirm yet that Take This Waltz would be premiering at TIFF saying to me, "Nothing's finalized yet!". 

Technically though, this Baby really could be considered Polley's third Child. Her first Baby, 2008's Away from Her, was born to much acclaim in its TIFF Premiere and eventually an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. The impending birth of her second Baby this weekend in Take This Waltz, also boasts some strong lineage as Michelle Williams appears to be getting Oscar buzz too for her work also.  Congratulations all around, Ms. Polley! 

SARAH POLLEY COMMENTS ON "TAKE THIS WALTZ"

Sarah Polley & Mr. Will-W.

Just as I was heading into a Screening tonight, I ran into acclaimed Gemini and Genie Award-winning Actress/Oscar-nominated Screenwriter Sarah Polley coming out of the National Film Board of Canada.  Just as she head off to her next destination, kindly she stopped to pose for a Photo.

I had to of course ask her my most burning question - whether or not her Toronto-filmed Take this Waltz will be premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival this September.  She smiled back at me, "Nothing's finalized yet!".  That answer would in the least bit appear to indicate it's in close contention?  And considering her favourable relationship with TIFF, I'd say she's a shoe-in! 

Polley's 2008 directorial debut Away from Her premiered at TIFF, eventually seeing Julie Christie get an Oscar nomination, in addition to a Best Adapted Screenplay nod for her own writing.  I did camp-out at the set for Take this Waltz last Summer and you can read some of my coverage here.

TAKE THIS WALTZ BEGINS FILMING IN TORONTO

Filming started a couple days ago for Canadian actress/director Sarah Polley's latest film Take This Waltz, to be distributed by Mongrel Media. The casting for the film however, is dead-aimed at the Oscars with a dream ensemble including Academy Award-nominee Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman.  Williams has been getting a great amount of ink for her role in upcoming The Weinstein Co. production Blue Valentine.

I did have a chance to visit the set which is tucked away in Little Portugal, quiet enough yet still accessible to the city. Upon arrival, I could see Crew members in charge of Locations advising local residents to stay off their porches so not to be in the shot, as this particular scene was set at 5 AM. Low and behold, I could see a radiant Williams giggling with co-star Luke Kirby, with whom she develops feelings for in the film. Take This Waltz touches upon the question of fidelity as Williams' character (married to Rogen) is said to struggle with commitment.

Polley could be heard calling "Action!" and "Cut!" from around the corner as her and the Crew followed Williams and Kirby around the block multiple times on a Trolley. In this scene, Kirby could be seen pulling a Rickshaw, while Williams conversed with him on her feet.

SPLICE REVIEW

Director/Screenwriter Vincenzo Natali's Splice is an interesting examination of the ethics of genetic cloning and the consequences of doing so.  Canadian actress/director Sarah Polley plays Elsa and Oscar winner Adrien Brody plays Clive, and the two are a couple who work for scientific research company N.E.R.D.  They create genetic organisms via the splicing of different species of animals in the name of revolutionizing Science and Medicine.  Elsa however wants to take things a level further on her own accord, secretly incorporating human DNA into the mix.  She infuses her own genetics into the creation of a new hybrid organism, which Clive is against, but winds up aiding.

The experiment goes awry with the creature they create being born early and what results is Dren (Delphine Chanéac), a mysterious female part-human, part animal.  Maturing at an alarming rate, she grows to the human equivalent of 50 human years of age.  Despite Elsa's reassurance that she would not get emotionally invested in Dren, she fights for its survival against Clive's wishes.  Both uncertain whether or not the creature is in fact dangerous, their relationship becomes strained as they become preoccupied with both hiding their secret experiment from their employer and at the same time struggling to keep Dren alive as part of their groundbreaking work.

AN EARLY LOOK: TAKE THIS WALTZ

News like this just brings out the stalker in me.  Canadian great Sarah Polley's new project Take This Waltz starts filming this July in Toronto. The film is about a woman who realizes that she might be addicted to the "Honeymoon Phase" of her relationships. The actress-turned-director has cast - get this - comedienne Sarah Silverman, the ultra-selective Michelle Williams and the über-busy Seth Rogen, who only recently wrapped-up production on The Green Hornet and is now in Vancouver working on a film he wrote and directs, tentatively titled I'm With Cancer.  That film is based on Rogen's real life experiences and his friendship with a friend who suffered from the illness.

The last time Polley directed a feature in 2006, actress Julie Christie wound up receiving a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination for Away From Her.  Expect  a similar fate for Williams who is normally outstanding, although seen far too little.  (Photo credit: Associated Press)