'' Stories We Tell '' is a 2012 Canadian documentary film written and directed by Sarah Polley and produced by the National Film Board of Canada ( NFB ) . The film explores her family 's secrets — including one intimately related to Polley 's own identity . '' Stories We Tell '' premiered August 29 , 2012 at the 69th Venice International Film Festival , then played at the 39th Telluride Film Festival and the 37th Toronto International Film Festival . In 2015 , it was added to the Toronto International Film Festival 's list of the top 10 Canadian films of all time , at number 10 . It was also named the 70th greatest film since 2000 in a 2016 critics ' poll by BBC
69th Venice International Film Festival
69th Venice International Film Festival
Stories We Tell