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The Patron Saints

– by Brian M. Cassidy & Melanie Shatzky

    1. Nonfiction

    2. Date Awarded: Winter 2011 & Winter 2009

    3. Directors(s): Brian M. Cassidy & Melanie Shatzky

    1. Producer(s): Brian M. Cassidy & Melanie Shatzky

    2. Company Credit: Pigeon Projects

    3. Location: USA/Canada

    1. Film Status: Completed

    2. URL: » The Patron Saints site

About the Film:

The Patron Saints is a disquieting and hyperrealistic glimpse into life at a nursing home. Bound by the candid confessions of a recently disabled resident, the film weaves haunting images, scenes and stories from within the institution walls. Sidestepping conventional documentary methods for a heightened cinematic approach to storytelling, the film employs lyrical realism and black humor in its charged portrait of fading bodies and minds.

About the Filmmakers:

Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky (Directors, Producers, DPs, Editors) met in 2004 and shortly thereafter began collaborating on both film and photography projects. The duo have shown their work at the Sundance, Rotterdam, Toronto, and Edinburgh film festivals and won awards at the European Media Art Festival, the Chicago International Film Festival, and the Athens International Film Festival. Their films have also shown in museums and galleries including the National Gallery of Art and the Institute of Contemporary Art. In 2007, Filmmaker Magazine named them as one of “25 New Faces of Independent Film.” Cassidy and Shatzky are currently in post-production of their first narrative feature, Francine, starring Academy-Award winner Melissa Leo.

Festival & Award Highlights:

Toronto 2011 – World Premiere
Rotterdam 2012