Guest Author - Lorna London Sloukji

Based on Margaret Laurence's critically acclaimed novel, comes director Kari Skogland's film, The Stone Angel, a story about an unconventional woman with a stubborn attitude and a rebellious heart.

Starring Christine Horne as young Hagar Currie, this young woman lives her life relying on her heart and desires, often leading to pain. Through her narration, we learn that young Hagar refuses to listen to her father's wishes and marries Bram Shipley (Cole Hauser), a man she passionately loves.

As time progresses, the couple have two sons and a series of feuds, usually because of Shipley's childish antics and irresponsibility.
Hagar's pride results in her taking her youngest son (her eldest joins the army) and going to work as a live-in housekeeper.

The story continues and Hagar ages into a woman (Ellen Burstyn) who still has a wild spirit.

Her relationship with her youngest, John, is full of worry as he falls in love with a young woman (Ellen Page) whose role deeply affects his life.

The 94-year-old Hagar now reminisces her life, her loves, and the choices she made that continue to haunt her in the present. While trying to find solace in her old age, she befriends a young man named Leo, and we find out through this friendship what happened to her youngest son. Through this relationship with Leo, Hagar finally discusses her long-withheld emotions and consciously faces them, allowing closure.

First published in 1964, the story takes place in Manawaka, Manitoba, while the film was shot across Manitoba including Hartney, Winnipeg, Landmark, and Balmoral.

With its world premiere at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival, the movie was released in May 2008. It was nominated for the Tokyo Grand Prix at the Tokyo International Film Festival in 2007, and in 2008, was nominated for the WGC Award with the Writers Guild of Canada.

Director Kari Skogland speaks proudly of the strong feminine voice in her film, "This story is very much a dialogue with God and spirituality. Hagar questions and rebels against the god she is taught is vengeful, a god where a woman's sexuality and independence is somehow a bad thing."

In the 1960s, Hagar's character can be looked at as quite unorthodox. As Skogland states, "Hagar was clearly a woman ahead of her time. She spoke out, had a mind of her own, followed her heart and clearly did not want to live the life her mother did."

The Stone Angel arrived on DVD on October 21, 2008.

Main cast

Ellen Burstyn- Hagar
Christine Horne- Young Hagar
Cole Hauser- Young Bram
Kevin Zegers- John
Ellen Page- Arlene
Dylan Baker- Marvin
Wings Bauser- Older Bram