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Q3 2019

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22 CINEMONTAGE / Q3 2019 by Edward Landler I n traditional Celtic lore, the Selkie or "Seal Folk" are beings who transform from seals to humans when they shed their skin and, donning it again, change back as well. The myth of the Selkie lies at the heart of filmmaker John Sayles' The Secret of Roan Inish, which premiered 25 years ago at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 1994. Sayles explains to CineMontage, "Like the oral traditions passed on from generation to generation, these stories are hooked into the nature around you, who you are as a person and what you need to know to survive." A gentle yet enthralling film, Roan Inish examines the vital human bond with nature increasingly threatened by our own industrial and technological development. Since making his first independent film, The Return of the Secaucus Seven (1979), as writer, director and editor, Sayles has established a unique relationship with the industry. While managing to keep creative control over much of his work, he has achieved membership in several Hollywood guilds, representing writers, directors, producers and editors. Regarding his Local 700 membership, he stresses, "I wanted to join the union because I wanted to be fair to our assistant editors and other post personnel." THIS QUARTER IN FILM HISTORY Popcorn, Dailies and Guinness The Secret of the Making of 'Roan Inish' The Secret of Roan Inish. Samuel Goldwyn Company/ Photofest

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