About The Tale (HBO)

"The Tale" is a gripping autobiographical drama written and directed by Jennifer Fox. This HBO film revolves around the character of Jennifer, a successful journalist and academic, who revisits her childhood relationship with two adult coaches after her mother discovers a story she wrote at the age of 13. The 2018 film is a deeply personal exploration of memory, trauma, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive.

Making/Production

The film was shot by Denis Lenoir and Ivan Strasburg, edited by Alex Hall and Gary Levy, and produced by Oren Moverman, Laura Rister, Lawrence Inglee, Mynette Louie, Sol Bondy, Simone Pero, Regina K. Scully, and Lynda Weinman. This bespoke production team worked tirelessly to ensure Fox's story was told with a careful balance of sensitivity and honesty.

Actors

• Laura Dern stars as Jennifer and delivers a masterful performance, navigating the multifaceted nature of her character with striking authenticity.
• Jason Ritter plays Bill, one of Jennifer's childhood coaches, whose character unfolds with unsettling complexity.
• Elizabeth Debicki stars as Mrs. G, the other coach from Jennifer's past. Her radiant yet intricate performance sheds light on the ambiguities inherent in this story of manipulation and self-deception.
• Ellen Burstyn portrays Jennifer’s mother, who sets the story in motion by discovering her daughter’s unsettling childhood narrative.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is actually Jennifer Fox’s own story, marking a brave personal examination of her childhood experiences.
• "The Tale" marks the first narrative feature by Jennifer Fox who is primarily known for her documentaries.
• The film was shot in Louisiana, USA, featuring local landscape and architecture as its backdrop.

Quotes

• "Maybe the fear is that if it's a story, it's not the truth." - Jennifer
• "I was an unusually loud and expressive child, not given to secrets." - Jennifer
• “The story you are telling yourself about what happened may not be what actually happened” - Jennifer's Mother

Music, Soundtrack

• The film’s score was composed by Ariel Marx, her haunting melodies and harmonies enhancing the depth and emotional magnitude of the story.
• The movie does not feature a traditional soundtrack; instead, it relies heavily on its score and carefully selected incidental music to maintain a focused, intimate atmosphere throughout.