The Song and the Sorrow
2018
42 min
Coming soon
Musician Catherine MacLellan—the daughter of Canadian singer/songwriting legend Gene MacLellan—grew up surrounded by her father’s music. He died by suicide when she was 14. Two decades after his loss, Catherine is finally ready to confront the hurtful mystery of her absent parent and embrace his musical legacy. The Song and the Sorrow follows Catherine as she journeys to understand her father and face her own struggles with mental illness. Through archival footage and intimate interviews with friends, family members, and musicians who knew and played with Gene—including Anne Murray, Lennie Gallant, and the late Ron Hynes—the film reveals a troubled …
This work deals with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.
Details
Musician Catherine MacLellan—the daughter of Canadian singer/songwriting legend Gene MacLellan—grew up surrounded by her father’s music. He died by suicide when she was 14. Two decades after his loss, Catherine is finally ready to confront the hurtful mystery of her absent parent and embrace his musical legacy.
The Song and the Sorrow follows Catherine as she journeys to understand her father and face her own struggles with mental illness. Through archival footage and intimate interviews with friends, family members, and musicians who knew and played with Gene—including Anne Murray, Lennie Gallant, and the late Ron Hynes—the film reveals a troubled and loving man who was never at ease with fame or money.
Catherine is determined to lift the oppressive burden of silence that accompanies the stigma of mental illness and hopes that others can take strength and solace from her story.
This work deals with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.
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participantCatherine MacLellanJudith MacLellanIsabel MacLellanPhilip MacLellanLennie GallantScott ParsonsBob MersereauTanya DavisRon HynesMarty RenoEric MacEwenAnne Murray
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writerMillefiore Clarkes
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directorMillefiore Clarkes
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director of photographyKyle Simpson
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editorMillefiore Clarkes
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sound designSimon White
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musicDevon Ross
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producerPaul McNeillRohan Fernando
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story editorAndrew MacCormack
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additional photographyMillefiore ClarkesCurry LeamenDane Cutcliffe
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additional soundMike FilippovDan CaseleyCurtis MacNevin
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narratorCatherine MacLellan
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transcriptionLisa Clarke
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archival clearancesSylvia Mezei
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music clearancesSylvia Mezei
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production supervisorRoz Power
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technical coordinatorJean-François LapriseDaniel LordChristopher MacIntosh
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production coordinatorSarah GignacCheryl Murgatroyd
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senior production coordinatorKelly Davis
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program administratorCamila BlosLeslie Anne Poyntz
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title designJacques-Bertrand Simard
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online editorDenis Pilon
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on-line assistantPierre Dupont
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re-recordingSerge Boivin
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marketing managerAmanda Laukys
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publicistPat Dillon-Moore
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legal counselPeter Kallianiotis
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executive producerAnnette Clarke
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executive directorMichelle van Beusekom
Education
Ages 15 to 18
English Language Arts - CanLit
Health/Personal Development - Mental Health/Stress/Suicide
Media Education - Documentary Film
Warnings: Sensitive content (discussion of suicide).
An exploration of the life and death of musician Gene MacLellan by his daughter includes the impact of his suicide on her, and interviews with friends and family. Ideal for discussions of mental health and suicide. The stigma surrounding mental illness and depression often pushes those who live with it, including their friends and family, into silence. Why do you think Catherine MacLellan decided to tell her father’s story, as well as her own? As a class, discuss why it is recommended to speak about one’s personal challenges and struggles to friends, family or a health care professional. Why might people be afraid to speak about difficult personal matters? After viewing, research resources available for mental health and suicide prevention available locally and nationally.
