Sarah Polley Quotes

Powerful Sarah Polley for Daily Growth

About Sarah Polley

Sarah Polley is a renowned Canadian actress, film director, and screenwriter who has made significant contributions to both film and television industries. Born on January 8, 1980, in Toronto, Ontario, she began her career as a child actor before transitioning into directing and writing. Polley's interest in acting was sparked at an early age when she appeared in several commercials. Her breakthrough role came in 1993 when she played Raquel Welch's daughter in the film "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." This role earned her a Genie Award for Best Supporting Actress, and it marked the beginning of a promising career in acting. However, Polley is perhaps best known for her roles in the films "Guinevere" (1993), "The Sweet Hereafter" (1997), and "Go" (1999). In 2006, she directed her first film, "Away from Her," which was critically acclaimed and earned several Genie Awards. Polley's work often explores themes of identity, memory, and the complexities of relationships. One of her most notable works as a writer is the 2019 Netflix film "An Officer and a Spy," for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Polley has been actively involved in various social issues. She co-founded the Raise It Forward campaign, which aims to raise funds for Canadian arts organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Polley's life and work have been influenced by a variety of sources, including her own experiences, relationships, and the stories she has encountered throughout her career. She continues to push boundaries as a versatile and talented artist, demonstrating a deep commitment to storytelling that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think what I'm most interested in is the complexity and depth of human beings."

This quote by Sarah Polley emphasizes her fascination with the intricate layers and profound nature of human beings. She finds beauty, mystery, and inspiration in our complexities, as well as the multifaceted dimensions that make each person unique. This understanding is essential for empathy, compassion, and connection between individuals, as it allows us to appreciate, understand, and respect our differences while recognizing shared humanity.


"The more we try to make things perfect, the further away they seem from us."

This quote suggests that an excessive pursuit of perfection can create a sense of distance between ourselves and the things we are trying to achieve or create. The drive to achieve perfection often leads to overthinking and self-imposed pressure, which can hinder progress and make the desired outcome seem elusive or unattainable. Instead, it might be more fruitful to focus on progress and growth, embracing the process and learning from our mistakes along the way.


"The stories that are made up for children become a kind of shared reality."

This quote emphasizes the significance of storytelling, particularly in the context of childhood. The narratives we create and share with children help form a common understanding or "reality" among individuals. These stories serve not just as entertainment but also as tools to impart values, cultural beliefs, historical events, and moral lessons that shape society. They foster empathy, creativity, and imagination, contributing to our collective understanding of the world around us. Ultimately, shared narratives bind communities together, creating a rich tapestry of human experience and knowledge.


"We need the freedom to not have everything figured out."

This quote by Sarah Polley emphasizes the value of embracing uncertainty in life. It suggests that having the liberty to explore, experiment, and learn without immediate answers or solutions is a vital part of personal growth and self-discovery. The phrase "not having everything figured out" highlights the acceptance of not knowing it all and allows for the development of resilience, adaptability, and flexibility in our journey through life. This perspective invites us to appreciate the process more than the destination, fostering a mindset that encourages exploration, curiosity, and empathy towards ourselves and others.


"Stories are always about the people telling them - and the power they have to shape their own reality, or someone else's."

This quote emphasizes that stories, whether fictional or personal, are not just reflections of reality but active agents in shaping it. They hold immense power as they are primarily a product of the individual who tells them. By narrating their own story, people can redefine their circumstances, influence others' perspectives, and even reshape their personal realities. This quote highlights the transformative potential stories have, both for the storyteller and the audience.


Well, because Dawn of the Dead can take place anywhere and it shows that actually the entire planet is contaminated, I would say that it shows the new face of our world - one person, one race, united against the invisible destructive force.

- Sarah Polley

Invisible, Against, United, Our World

AIDS is a global problem and there should be a global solution found by the entire international community. It is really scary to see and imagine our world fall into pieces because we refuse to share and put in the common vestiges of our civilizations.

- Sarah Polley

Global, Entire, Our, Our World

Playing roles that are intense and damaged has always come more easily to me than doing comedies or lighter stuff - that would be taking a huge risk for me.

- Sarah Polley

Doing, More, Always, Lighter

Plus, doing a zombie movie is quite liberating. It's fun not to take myself seriously all the time.

- Sarah Polley

Myself, Doing, Movie, Liberating

I always look for an intense experience, an intense ride. There is nothing better than a good zombie movie where you run crazy and blow at monsters! It was a physical shoot and I enjoyed it.

- Sarah Polley

Nothing, Movie, Always, Blow

I think that we need to get along together if we want to survive in the twenty-first century.

- Sarah Polley

Think, Survive, I Think, To Survive

It's not that I don't want to become famous or that I'm obsessed by my work as an actress, but it's all about not limiting myself, such as putting myself in a little jail that I can escape from.

- Sarah Polley

Famous, Obsessed, Actress, Limiting

I'm never sure what's coming next, but I'm an open minded person and I welcome any challenge.

- Sarah Polley

Next, Sure, Minded, Open

Lately I did a film called All I Want for Christmas and it was well received. This gave me a new point of view and a new respect for my work as an actress.

- Sarah Polley

New, Point Of View, Actress, Lately

I still feel that a movie has to attempt to say something - even if it fails miserably. But I've sort of given up on believing that I'm going to change the world with every film I choose to act in.

- Sarah Polley

Choose, Feel, Movie, Change The World

There is no point trying to figure out who is guilty or not at un-balancing the planet. I think we need to figure out and solve the problems together and not isolate from each other.

- Sarah Polley

Think, Other, Figure, No Point

Being a human being is all about experiencing all of the wonders of the world and therefore as an actress, I'm open to any opportunity that may enrich my horizon.

- Sarah Polley

Human Being, Actress, May, Experiencing

I enjoy doing my more intimate and less commercial pictures and also I enjoy directing.

- Sarah Polley

Doing, More, Commercial, Directing

My mom died of cancer when I was really young. I'm not someone who tries to work out their own stuff with a role, but I think that happened despite my best efforts to keep myself separate from it.

- Sarah Polley

Role, I Think, Tries, Cancer

I was concerned about that, because I've always been so specific about doing independent films, but I've never done anything that's so genuinely and ridiculously fun. And that's a great thing, for me to discover that that's possible.

- Sarah Polley

Doing, Been, Concerned, Great Thing

I do tend to take time off. A year and a half ago I went to film school, and before that I had taken years off at a time to be involved politically or this or that.

- Sarah Polley

Year, Film School, Half, Politically

So it's conceivable I'll do something insane, or more insane than Dawn of the Dead. If that's possible.

- Sarah Polley

Dead, Possible, More, Insane

I want my world to get bigger and not end up in a small corner.

- Sarah Polley

Small, World, Bigger, Corner

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