Francine

Francine

Melanie Shatzky and Brian M. Cassidy

US / CA
2012
Spielfilm
74’
Panorama

After serving a prison stretch, Francine aims to start up again in a small town somewhere in the USA. She takes on a series of causal jobs in an attempt to make new friends and forge relationships. However, all attempts to regain a foothold in society fail and she turns to animals for the warmth, affection and society she craves for. Before long, her house is full of companion pets with whom she increasingly shares a feeling of being locked in. On the other hand, it’s easy to get them to love her.

Melanie Shatzky and Brian M. Cassidy focus on Francine’s life over a short period of time. With little attempt to provide a psychological context and hardly any dialogue, they gradually get nearer to her in a series of loosely connected scenes. Slowly but surely, a complete portrait emerges of a lonely woman whose life is headed for a crash. Oscarwinning Melissa Leo embodies the fragile Francine character with great precision and tremendous intensity.

Director / Script

Brian M. Cassidy, Melanie Shatzky

Cinematography

Brian M. Cassidy

Editing

Brian M. Cassidy, Benjamin Gray, Melanie Shatzy

Sound

Nicola Chapelle

Cast

Melissa Leo, Keith Leonard, Victoria Charkut, Dave Clark, Mike Halsteas

Production

Joshua Blum, Katie Stern, Washington Square Films

Contact

Film Sales Company

Portrait of Melanie Shatzky and Brian M. Cassidy

Melanie Shatzky and Brian M. Cassidy

Melanie Shatzky was born 1976 im Montréal, Canada, and Brian M. Cassidy 1977 in Poughkeepsie, USA. They got to know one another in 2004 and soon teamed up on film and photo projects. After graduating from the School of Visual Arts in New York, they set up the Pigeon Projects production company there in 2005. Their joint films have been screened at museum and galleries as well as at international festivals. Francine was their first narrative feature.


Films by Melanie Shatzky, Brian M. Cassidy (Selection)
The Patron Saints 2012 | The Delaware Project 2011 | God Provides 2007