Tatiana Maslany

By Haley Cullingham

Adriana Maggs' amazing film, Grown Up Movie Star, has taken Sundance by storm. Compelling young lead Tatiana Maslany was awarded a Special Jury Prize for her performance as Ruby in the piece, which takes place in Maggs' native Newfoundland. The stunning scenery provides a backdrop for a wrenching tale of love, sexual awakening, and family dynamics. Big Love's Shawn Doyle plays Ray, Ruby's handsome father, a one-time NHL player disgraced early in his career for smuggling pot over the border. After his wife abandons their family, Ray must face the difficulties of raising on his own the daughters from whom his own shame and secrets have kept him isolated. As Ray comes to terms with his homosexuality, Ruby pushes the boundaries of her own identity. These two sexual awakenings parallel each other in a film that is a triumph of storytelling and cinematic language. We sat down with the sassy and gorgeous writer and director Adriana Maggs to talk about her moving film, her love of Newfoundland, and why she's never working out on a Wii again. read more...