Surfacing is a 1981 Canadian drama film directed by Claude Jutra and starring Kathleen Beller, R. H. Thomson, Joseph Bottoms, Michael Ironside and Margaret Dragu.^[1] The film was written by Bernard Gordon as an adaptation of Margaret Atwood's novel Surfacing (1972).

The film received mixed reviews, with criticism of Bottoms' performance, and praise for Dragu’s.^[2][3][4] The film garnered one Genie Award nomination at the 3rd Genie Awards, for songwriter Ann Mortifee in the Best Original Song category.

Atwood's novel was widely considered "unfilmable",^[1] and Jutra's adaptation was not considered successful.^[1] He had been brought in as director only at the last minute, after original director Eric Till dropped out;^[5] it was also the first narrative feature film ever produced by Beryl Fox, who was primarily known as a documentary filmmaker.^[5] In addition, the film was criticized for casting Beller and Bottoms, actors from the United States, in a film adaptation of a novel with themes of Canadian nationalism, as well as for giving Bottoms top billing even though Beller's character was the novel's primary protagonist.^[5] Jutra rebounded the following year with the more successful and better-received By Design.^[5]

Filming locations

The final diving scene was filmed in the Bon Echo Provincial Park area on Mazinaw Lake at Mazinaw Rock in south-eastern Ontario. Nearby, the former Pethicks store/gas station was also used. The river scenes were shot on the Madawaska River near Algonquin Park.

Cast

• Joseph Bottoms as Joe
• Kathleen Beller as Kate
• R.H. Thomson as David
• Michael Ironside as Wayne