Sing Me the Songs that Say I Love You

In May, 2011 a concert was held in New York’s Town Hall to commemorate the influential Canadian singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle who had died of cancer a year previously at the age of 63. This film shows the intimate group of people on stage including her children Rufus and Martha Wainwright, her sister Anna McGarrigle and friends from the music business such as Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Antony Hegarty and Teddy Thompson, all of whom weave magic with Kate’s musical legacy. Their voices resonate with a great sense of loss, but also with the strength of a deeply inspired and inspiring tribute to life.Curated by music producer Joe Boyd, the concert includes songs such as ‘I Cried for Us’ and ‘Kitty Come Home’ which, together with a short reading by Michale Ondaatje from Kate’s writings, evoke her grappling with topics such as separation, loneliness and getting older. Lian Lunson compliments her simply filmed, moving documentary with interviews, archive footage, home videos and a letter from Kate’s father and brings the viewer closer to Kate and her family –until her time comes. Rufus’ and Martha’s young voices can be heard in an old recording singing a French Christmas carol.