An actress of extraordinary subtlety and range, Sarah Polley ('Ana' in "Dawn of the Dead") made a spectacular transition from child to adult star with her critically acclaimed performance in Atom Egoyan's "The Sweet Hereafter," winner of the 1997 Grand Prix at Cannes. Since then she has amassed a growing portfolio of challenging roles, all of which have drawn enthusiastic notice.
In addition to her work in "Dawn of the Dead," Polley has recently written and directed an episode for the Shaftesbury Films and Original Pictures' drama series, "The Shields Stories," based on the works of renowned Canadian writer, Carol Shields. The episode, entitled "The Harp," follows the story of a young woman who was passing by on the street below as a harp hurtles inexplicably through space and lands on her leg, the other of which is already broken.
Polley was last seen in "My Life Without Me", starring alongside Mark Ruffalo. Directed by Isabel Coixet, Polley plays Ann, a young woman who conceals the fact of her terminal cancer to live her life with a passion she never had before. The film has been awarded the Best Canadian Feature Award from the Atlantic Film Festival.
Polley's film career actually began when she was four-years-old. As a child, she starred in two television series: "Ramona" and the Emmy Award-winning series "Avonlea." She garned a GEMINI Award when she was nine-years-old for her portrayal of a feisty cockney orphan in "Lantern Hill."
No profile of Sarah Polley would be complete without a mention of her tireless political activism. She is unequivocal about the need for widespread social change and is active in political organizing and lobby efforts in favor of arts funding and health care spending, and on behalf of the homeless.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Exclusive Interview with Sarah Polley
Sarah Polley Interview from the "Dawn of the Dead" Premiere
"Dawn of the Dead" Photos, Trailer and Credits
