#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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