Part of a New Wave in Canadian cinema during the late ’80s, this movie marked the feature debut for both writer/director Patricia Rozema and star Sheila McCarthy, who won Canada’s top film prize, the Genie Award, for Best Actress. “Isn’t life the strangest thing you’ve ever seen?” muses Polly (McCarthy), a dreamer who lands a gig as Girl Friday for art gallery impresario Gabrielle (Paule Baillargeon, Genie winner for Best Supporting Actress). Exploring female solidarity (or lack thereof), same-sex romance, and flights of fantasy, Rozema’s film won over critics—and is overdue for rediscovery upon its 30th anniversary.

U.S. premiere of 4K restoration courtesy of TIFF