#80. Francine – Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky
And for my final pick, I’m thinking that the husband-and-wife filmmaker team of Melanie Shatzky and Brian M. Cassidy will lock up a U.S Dramatic Comp section slot for their feature (fiction) debut. Francine should be among the buzz titles of the fest for what Melissa Leo (who plays the titular lead) will bring to the role, but my high expectations for the title have plenty more to do with my viewing of the craft in the stunning TIFF preemed The Patron Saints (here’s our 4-star review and interview). The pair were previously at Sundance back in 2007 with their docu short, God Provides.
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.
Producers: Joshua Blum (Adrift in Manhattan) and Katie Stern
(IONCINEMA.com Preview Page // IMDB Link)
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