One Thousand Flowers - The Song and the Sorrow

THE SONG AND THE SORROW

42 mins. (2018)

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Catherine MacLellan – the daughter of Canadian singer/songwriting legend Gene MacLellan – grew up surrounded by her father’s music. But He committed suicide when she was 14, and it took decades before she was able to play his songs.

The Song and The Sorrow follows Catherine as she tries to understand her father, come to terms with his legacy, and face her own struggles with mental illness. Through archival footage and candid interviews with friends, family members, and musicians who knew and played with Gene – including Anne Murray, Lennie Gallant, and the late Ron Hynes – the film reveals a troubled and loving man who was never at ease with fame or money.

It’s not easy being a musician with a famous musical parent. Losing that parent to suicide is devastating. As she seeks to celebrate her father while encouraging people to talk openly about mental illness, Catherine hopes others can take strength and solace from her story.

NFB EPK

DIRECTOR/WRITER/EDITOR

MILLEFIORE CLARKES

PRODUCERS

NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA

ROHAN FERNANDO & PAUL MCNEILL

SOUND DESIGN

SIMON WHITE

SOUNDTRACK MUSIC

DEVON ROSS

MUSIC

GENE MACLELLAN