I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing

Monday, September 22, 2025

Special Events

  • Mon Sep 22 : 

    Intro by programmer KJ Shepherd at 7:00

    Buy Tickets

SHOWTIMES AT IFC CENTER

Monday, September 22 at 7:00: Introduction by programmer KJ Shepherd

Art fraud! Power lesbians! Professional incompetence! Nobody can accuse Polly (Sheila McCarthy) of being the best assistant, but it doesn’t take too much snooping for her to learn gallery owner Gabrielle (Paule Baillargeon) has rekindled a relationship with the younger Mary (Ann-Marie MacDonald), seemingly sparking within Gabrielle unanticipated midlife creative genius. Or…has it? While Polly becomes enamored with what she believes is Gabrielle’s work—and Gabrielle herself—those artistic and romantic feelings are far from reciprocal. How will Polly react when the woman who sneeringly called her work meritless turns out to be running her own scheme? Director and writer Patricia Rozema gives us a charming and thoughtful look at unrequited attraction, art world arrogance, and the constant difficulty in both making art for its own sake and living life on your own terms. I’VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING premiered at Cannes and won some of Canada’s top film honors nearly four decades ago—but it may not be remembered now as much as it should by fans of queer cinema. Contemporary viewers may see extra dimensions to Polly that may not have been as apparent in the late 80s but, all the same, they are bound to enjoy this hallmark of the Toronto New Wave.

Screening as part of our monthly queer series programmed and hosted by Elizabeth Purchell and KJ Shepherd, Cruising the Movies

  • Country USA
  • Year 1987
  • Running Time 81 minutes
  • Format DCP
  • Distributor Kino Lorber
  • Director Patricia Rozema
  • Cast Sheila McCarthy, Paule Baillargeon, Ann-Marie MacDonald
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

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