Aesthetics: In a recent Toronto interview, Polley said: “I think I’m done trying to make elegant films that subtly talk about something. This isn’t the time for that.” I asked her to elaborate. “That’s how I’m feeling in the world right now,” she said. “I care less right now about trying to be an aesthetically sophisticated filmmaker than about saying what needs to be said. Some of my favorite filmmakers manage to do both: People like Ken Loach and Mike Leigh are able to make films that have a political context and are still great films. So it’s possible. But for me right now, the priority’s elsewhere, and everyone’s films are entering a world going through a very, very tumultuous time.”