Jeffrey Lynas, Yossi Yadin
On December 27th, VisionTV will present the world premiere television broadcast of the newly restored film Lies my Father Told Me followed by Lies, a behind-the-scenes, making of the Canadian classic. Starring Marilyn Lightstone, Lies My Father Told Me was the first English Canadian feature to win a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film.
“Three decades after it was filmed on location in Montreal, Lies My Father Told Me remains the quintessential Canadian film about a boy’s evolving view of the world, the vagaries of human nature and the Jewish immigrant experience in Canada.” – Sheldon Kirshner, Canadian Jewish News
“The film packs as much of a punch today – maybe more – as in 1975… a Canadian
classic.” – Bill Brownstein, Montreal Gazette
Set in Montreal’s Jewish immigrant community in the 1920s, Lies My Father Told Me is told through the eyes of 7-year-old David (Jeffrey Lynas) who is caught between the traditional Jewish values of his grandfather and the material ambitions of his parents.
David lives with his social-climbing father (Len Birman), dutiful mother (Marilyn
Lightstone), and his religious peddler grandfather, Zaida (Yossi Yadin). While David’s father rejects old traditions and dreams of striking it rich with cockamamie inventions, Zaida is concerned with teaching David about the world’s wonders through the eyes of Orthodox Judaism. Every Sunday, David and Zaida’s relationship grows stronger as
they travel Montreal’s alleyways together selling their wares. One day, David wakes for
their weekly excursion only to learn from his father that Zaida has gone, never to return
…a “lie” the young boy can never forgive.”
Len Birman, Yossi Yadin, Marilyn Lightstone
Yossi Yadin, Marilyn Lightstone
One of Canada’s most respected actresses and multi-media artists, Marilyn Lightstone stars as Annie Herman in Lies my Father Told Me and won Best Film Actress from both ACTRA and the Canadian Film Awards (today’s’ Genies) for her portrayal of the quintessential Jewish wife and mother. It was her first film. Her next feature was In Praise of Older Women for which she won another Canadian Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. Marilyn is renowned for her iconic voice and moving performances
on stage, screen, and television including her legendary role as Ms. Stacey in the
mini-series Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea. Marilyn also spends much of her
time in her rooftop studio, working with paint and photography, producing several
exhibitions a year. She has authored a novel, Rogues and Vagabonds, and written a
collection of songs entitled Miss Lightstone Sings. Her universal song for the holiday
season “The Light Shines All Over the World” can currently be heard on The New Classical 96.3 FM, English Canada’s only all-classical radio station where Marilyn is also the host of Nocturne which airs nightly from 11pm – 1am ET. marilynlightstone.com
Lies My Father Told Me was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, won the 1976 Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film and took six 1976 Canadian Film Awards.
The film was directed by Academy Award-winning Czech filmmaker Ján Kadár (The
Shop on Main Street) and is based on the story by Ted Allan, who also was the
screenwriter and appears in the film as a revolutionary tailor.
Lies My Father Told Me airs Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT, followed by Lies – The Making of Lies My Father Told Me at 11pm ET / 8pm PT.
