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Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2012: #23. Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky’s Francine
The TIFF preemed The Patron Saints was my introduction to the extremely gifted husband and wife directing team of Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky. Some called their vigorous docu-essay depressing, I couldn’t have been more animated by this unclassifiable document and I can just imagine how much of an atypical role was designed & developed for their film lead, Melissa Leo. Expectations levels are high enough to think we’ll find something more fierce than her performance in Frozen River.
#23. Francine
Directors/Writers: Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky
Producers: Washington Square Films’ Joshua Blum (And Everything Is Going Fine) and Katie Stern
Distributor: Rights Available
The Gist: Francine (Melissa Leo), is a woman struggling to find her place in a downtrodden lakeside town after leaving behind a life in prison. Taking a series of jobs working with animals, Francine turns away those who take an interest in her and instead seeks intimacy in the most unlikely of places...(more)
Cast: Melissa Leo is the heart and soul of the drama. Keith Leonard, Victoria Charkut, Dave Clark and Mike Halstead co-star.
List Worthy Reasons…: The TIFF preemed The Patron Saints was my introduction to the extremely gifted husband and wife directing team of Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky. Some called their vigorous docu-essay depressing, I couldn’t have been more animated by this unclassifiable document and I can just imagine how much of an atypical role was designed & developed for their film lead, Melissa Leo. Expectations levels are high enough to think we’ll find something more fierce than her performance in Frozen River.
Release Date/Status?: Surprised that this wasn’t included at Sundance – this could be a Cannes Directors’ Fortnight showing be a possibility with a probalbe second viewing in Toronto.
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