Podtalk: Opening Night of Chicago Critics Film Fest is ‘Saint Frances’ on May 17, 2019

Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 16, 2019 - 5:23pm

CHICAGO – Tomorrow, May 17th, 2019, is the night! The 7th Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) will kick off with the Opening Night film, “Saint Frances.” This begins a whole week of critic selected films at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre, Click here for the schedule.

7th CCFF Opener is ‘Saint Frances’
Photo credit: ChicagoCriticsFilmFestival.com

“Saint Frances” is the deeply authentic and emotional story of Bridget (Kelly O’Sullivan), a 34-year-old woman who is feeling her situation … without a relationship, prospects of motherhood or adult-style career. When she answers the call for a nanny position, she meets six-year-old Frances (Ramona Edith Smith), an unfiltered truth teller in a repressed world. As they interact, a loosening of Bridget’s worries begin to occur, as well as a few life lessons for Frances. Lead actress O’Sullivan also wrote the script, which was filmed locally in Chicagoland, and director Alex Thompson is a DePaul University film school alumni. “Saint Frances” recently was awarded the “Breakthrough Voice” Award and the Audience Award recognition for narrative film at the SXSW Film Festival.

The 7th annual Chicago Critics Film Festival is the only such fest with films selected by Windy City critics, mostly from the 2019 major film festivals so far. With a week-long selection of shorts, narrative, documentary and filmmaker/performer appearances, the festival is a cabaret of excellence in cinema. And this celebration takes place at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago, with all the screenings there, plus the opportunity to hang out at the MB’s lounge and outdoor patio.

In Part One of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, director Alex Thompson and lead actor/screenwriter Kelly O’Sullivan talk about preparation, premise and themes of “Saint Francis.”

In Part Two, the filmmaking duo reflect on debut films, story advice and how their lives have evolved.

The 7th Chicago Critics Film Festival presents “Saint Francis” on May 17th, 2019 (7pm), at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 North Southport, Chicago. The 2019 Festival runs May 17th through May 23rd. For the CCFF website, click here.