''Under the Piano'' is a 1995 television film directed by Stefan Scaini and features Kevin Sullivan as executive producer. The film follows the story of one woman’s overwhelming faith in her talented but emotionally defenceless sister. The film starred

Megan Follows Megan Elizabeth Laura Diana Follows ( ; born March 14, 1968) is a Canadian actress and director. She is known for her role as Anne Shirley in the 1985 Canadian television miniseries ''Anne of Green Gables'' and its two sequels. From 2013 to 2017 ...

and

Amanda Plummer Amanda Michael Plummer (born March 23, 1957) is an American actress. She is known for her work on stage and for her film roles, including '' Joe Versus the Volcano'' (1990), ''The Fisher King'' (1991), ''Pulp Fiction'' (1994), and '' The Hunge ...

as the sisters and opera singer

Teresa Stratas Teresa Stratas (born May 26, 1938) is a Canadian operatic soprano and actress of Greeks, Greek descent. She is especially well known for her award-winning recording of Alban Berg's ''Lulu (opera), Lulu''. She is formally retired. Early life an ...

as their mother. Stratas won a

Gemini Award The Gemini Awards were awards given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television between 1986–2011 to recognize the achievements of Canada's English-language television industry. The Gemini Awards are analogous to the Emmy Awards given in t ...

as best supporting actress for her performance. The film is loosely based on the life experiences of Dolly and Henrietta Giardini. Sullivan had seen their story on an episode of 20/20 and was moved by the potential of it. Henrietta was born an

autistic Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing di ...

savant; though her mental/emotional faculties have never fully developed, she possesses an extraordinary gift for memorization and for music. The two sisters lives were crucial to each other's survival as Dolly was handicapped, born with a paralyzed arm.

Synopsis

The film is set in the 1940s and 1950s. Franny Basilio is determined to help her musically gifted autistic sister Rosetta have a life of her own. Their mother Regina, who gave up a promising career as an opera singer to raise her children, refuses to acknowledge Rosetta’s talent and believes she will never be capable of looking after herself. Franny vehemently disagrees with her mother, which has caused friction between them since she was a child. Eventually, Regina’s bitterness, ignorance and desire for acknowledgement of her own talent cause a rift between her and her daughters. Franny ultimately moves out of the house causing Rosetta to hurt herself in a desperate cry for help. Rosetta is hospitalized and assessed by doctors who recommend to Regina that her daughter be lobotomized for her own good. Franny must summon all of her courage in order to prevent her mother from allowing Rosetta to have the operation and be committed to an institution for the rest of her life.

Cast

– Franny Basilio *

– Rosetta Basilio *

– Regina Basilio * James Carroll – Nick * John Juliani – Frank * Jackie Richardson – Mrs. Syms * Richard Blackburn – Dr. Banman *

Dan Lett Daniel Frederick Lett (born April 16, 1959) is a Canadian actor. He has acted in films, theatre and television. His principal roles have been in the series ''F/X'', ''The X-Files'', ''E.N.G.'', ''Street Legal (Canadian TV series), Street Legal'', ...

– Dr. Harkness * Judith Orban – Hazel * Andrew Tarbet – Orderly * Deborah Grover – Nurse Thompson *

Richard McMillan Richard McMillan (also known as Richard MacMillan; 20 March 1951 – 19 February 2017) was a Canadian film, television and stage actor. Early life McMillan was born in Beaverton, Ontario, Canada on 20 March 1951 and, as an infant, was adopte ...

– Dr. Davison * Tara Macri – Michelle * Louisa Martin – Michelle's mother * Simone Rosenberg – Young Violet * Andrew Sardella – Tommy 13 * Anita LaSelva – Juliet 24 * Mary Kelly – Mrs. Simpson * Benjamin Plener – Boy * Vince Marino – Store owner * Marie-Hélène Fontaine – Nurse * François Klanfer – Priest 1955 * Costin Manu – Peddlar * Colin O'Meara – Rick * Susan Tsagkaris – Leonora * Fran Vallee – Mme Benoit *

Nicky Guadagni Nicky Guadagni (born August 1, 1952) is a Canadian actress who has worked on stage, radio, film and television. Life and career Originally from Montreal, Nicky Guadagni majored in drama at Dawson College and went on to train at the Royal Academy ...

– Miss Evans * Mari Trainor – Marge * Chris Benson – Bill

List of awards

* Cable Ace Nomination – Best International Dramatic Special or Series/Movie or Miniseries, 1996 * 3 Gemini Awards – Best Costume Design, Best Supporting Actress in a TV Movie (Teresa Stratas), Best Sound, 1996 *2 Gemini Nominations – Best TV Movie, Best Direction in a Dramatic Program (Stefan Scaini), 1996

References

External links

*
Sullivan Entertainment
– official ''Under the Piano'' page {{DEFAULTSORT:Under The Piano 1995 television films 1995 films Films about autism Canadian drama television films English-language Canadian films 1990s Canadian films