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The Company of Strangers

In this feature film, 7 elderly women find themselves stranded when their bus breaks down in the wilderness. With only their wits, memories and some roasted frogs' legs to sustain them, this remarkable group of strangers share their life stories and turn a potential crisis into a magical time of humour, spirit and camaraderie. Featuring non-professional actors and unscripted dialogue, this film dissolves the barrier between fiction and reality, weaving a heart-warming tale of friendship and courage.
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In this feature film, 7 elderly women find themselves stranded when their bus breaks down in the wilderness. With only their wits, memories and some roasted frogs' legs to sustain them, this remarkable group of strangers share their life stories and turn a potential crisis into a magical time of humour, spirit and camaraderie. Featuring non-professional actors and unscripted dialogue, this film dissolves the barrier between fiction and reality, weaving a heart-warming tale of friendship and courage.

Sexuality and Reproduction Women Seniors All subjects
Captivating Fiction films The Classics All channels
  • director
    Cynthia Scott
  • producer
    David Wilson
  • editing
    David Wilson
  • executive producer
    Colin Neale
    Rina Fraticelli
    Peter Katadotis
  • script
    Gloria Demers
  • photography
    David De Volpi
    Roger Martin
  • sound
    Jacques Drouin
  • sound editing
    André Galbrand
    Danuta Klis
  • re-recording
    Hans Peter Strobl
    Adrian Croll
  • music
    Marie Bernard
  • cast
    Alice Diabo
    Constance Garneau
    Winifred Holden
    Cissy Meddings
    Mary Meigs
    Catherine Roche
    Michelle Sweeney
    Beth Webber

Education

Ages 15 to 17

Notes

Write a portrait of one character in film describing her personality and episodes that reveal it. Imagine her past. Group discussion — film explores what general concerns of women? Group discussion — how to shorten this film if you had to? Cut landscape or conversation? Why? Invite older people to class for discussion of characters’ behaviour in relation to age. What is it like to be older, and what is important?

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The Company of Strangers
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