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The Hanging Garden
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Synopsis
Ten years after he disappeared from his family's life, Sweet William (Chris Leavins) returns home to Nova Scotia for his sister's wedding. Despite the fact that he's gone from a morbidly obese adolescent to a thin, handsome, self-assured young man, the reunion proves bittersweet. Although he reconnects with his loving sister Rosemary (Kerry Fox) and his Alzheimer's-afflicted grandmother Grace (Joan Orenstein), he is dismayed to learn that his parents' rocky marriage has settled into permanent animosity. He also witnesses the toll his absence has taken on his abusive, alcoholic father, Whiskey Mack (Peter MacNeill); his tight-lipped mother Iris (Seana McKenna); and Violet (Christine Dunsworth), the tomboyish younger sister he's never met. The past lingers in the very air of William's childhood home; disturbing visions of himself as both a waifish boy (Ian Parsons) and a fat adolescent (Troy Veinotte) follow him everywhere. And it's not just the ghosts who dredge up the past. Rosemary's new husband, Fletcher (Joel S. Keller), flirts shamelessly with William, bringing back memories of the painful relationship the two shared as teenagers. When Iris disappears, William must confront not only the haunting visions of his past, but also the unfinished business he left behind. The feature debut of writer/director Thom Fitzgerald, The Hanging Garden was the winner of the Air Canada People's Choice Award for best picture and the co-winner of the Toronto-CITY TV Award for Best Canadian Film at the Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Cast

Kerry Fox Rosemary
Peter MacNeill Whiskey Mac
Sarah Polley Teen Rosemary
Joan Orenstein Grace
Seanna McKenna Iris
Mark Austin Preacher
Tom Chambers Police Officer
Jocelyn Cunningham Laurel
Annabelle Dexter
Christine Dunsworth Violet
Jim Faraday Mr. MacDougal
Martha Irving Dusty Miller
Joel S. Keller Fletcher
Chris Leavins Sweet William
Ashley MacIsaac Basil
Ian Parsons Little Sweet William
Renee Penney Grace the Nun
Heather Rankin Black Eyed Susan
Troy Veinotte Teen Sweet William
Michael Weir Police Officer

Production Crew

Taavo Soodor Art Director
Mark Hammond Associate Producer
Daniel Jobin Cinematographer
Eric Cayla Cinematographer
Ashley MacIsaac Composer (Music Score)
Heather Rankin Composer (Music Score)
John Roby Composer (Music Score)
Mary Jane Lamond Composer (Music Score)
James A. Worthen Costume Designer
Thom Fitzgerald Director
Susan Shanks Editor
Arnie Gelbart Producer
Louise Garfield Producer
Thom Fitzgerald Producer
Charlotte Harper Production Designer
Darlene Shiels Production Designer
Thom Fitzgerald Screenwriter
Georges Hannon Sound/Sound Designer
Peter Harper Sound/Sound Designer
Philippe Espantoso Sound/Sound Designer
Year: 1997
Runtime: 91
Country: Canada
MPAA Rating: R
for strong sexuality, language, and a scene of a hanging, and some teen drug use
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Produced by
Cineplex Odeon Films
Emotion Pictures
Galafilm Productions
Triptych Media

Awards
1997 - Best Canadian Film [Runner-up] - Toronto Film Critics Association
1997 - Best Picture - Genie Awards