Podtalk: Kelly O’Sullivan & Alex Thompson of ‘Saint Frances’

CHICAGO – The nationwide release of the locally produced “Saint Frances” was in full swing before the pandemic occurrence, and now there is an opportunity to see it through VOD (click link below). The triumphant feature debut of director Alex Thompson, and co-written by Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan (who is also the lead actor), is a mature and intuitive emotional journey.

The film is the deeply authentic story of Bridget (O’Sullivan), a 34-year-old woman who is feeling her situation, stuck without a relationship or adult-style career. While in the midst of dealing with an unwanted pregnancy she answers the call for a nanny position, and meets six-year-old Frances (Ramona Edith Smith), an unfiltered truth teller in a repressed world. As they interact, Bridget begins to loosen up, and also shares a few life lessons with Frances.

Ramona Edith Smith and Kelly O’Sullivan in ‘Saint Frances’
Photo credit: Oscilloscope Films

The feature was shot locally in Chicagoland, and Alex Thompson is a DePaul University film school alumni. Among many festival honors, “Saint Frances” was awarded the “Breakthrough Voice” Award and the Audience Award recognition for narrative film at the SXSW Film Festival and the Audience Favorite Award at the 2019 Chicago Critics Film Festival. The special Video-on-Demand presentation is a partnership between Chicago’s Music Box Theatre and VHX.TV.

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 reflected on debut films, story advice and how their lives have evolved.

CLICK HERE [19] for the “Saint Frances” review by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com on WBGR-FM, Monroe, Wisconsin.

[21]	By PATRICK McDONALD [22] Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [21]