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'Flannery': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about Flannery O'Connor's documentary

O'Connor was considered among the finest and most important writers to have lived in the 20th century, who wrote impactful works that forced readers to confront reality

The life of the critically-acclaimed American novelist and short-story writer, Flannery O'Connor, is the subject of a poignant documentary that is set to make its virtual debut this week. 'Flannery' is a 96-minute unscripted film about the grotesque Catholic writer, whose works are still revered by many, decades after they were written. Here is everything you need to know about it. 

Release date

'Flannery' is coming to virtual cinemas on July 17. 

Plot

"Anything that comes out of the South is going to be called grotesque by the northern reader, unless it is grotesque, in which case it is going to be called realistic..." Flannery O'Connor said in 1958. 'Flannery' revolves around the life and works of the famed writer, who was known for her novels and short stories that portrayed the rural American South, nuanced with dark-comedic elements. Her penmanship depicted human conditions such as alienation and the relationship between the individual and god, weaving together Catholic themes of grace and redemption.

It sheds light on O'Connor, a writer who grew up in the age of the Jim Crow laws and touches upon aspects of race in America, as well as the civil rights movements in the late 1950s and after, which also forms a context to her life. O'Connor was considered among the finest and most important writers to have lived in the 20th century, who wrote impactful works that forced readers to confront reality. She drew focus to the mysteries of existence, while also highlighting the great as well as ugly truth of human nature in a compelling way. 

The film traces O'Connor's upbringing in Georgia, her education, her beginnings and career as a writer, her diagnosis with lupus after which she became reclusive, and her unfortunate death at the young age of 39 in 1964 due to complications from the disease that had taken over her. In her lifetime, she authored some of the best and acclaimed fictional works, that gathered a huge fan base. Decades later, her work has inspired many writers, artists and museums with their dark humor and gothic elements. The film also features interviews with eminent personalities who are familiar with her work and have idolized her, coupled with brilliant motion graphic animations, letters penned by her, never-before-seen photographs and archival footage. 

Cast

The unscripted film features interviews with many well-known personalities and long-time fans of O'Connor and her work. Academy award-winning actress Mary Steenburgen has lent her voice for the film and guides us into the narrative.

Writer and critic Hilton Als, curator Sally Fitzgerald, producer Michael Fitzgerald, publisher Robert Giroux, writer Mary Gorden, poet Mary Karr, actor and filmmaker Tommy Lee Jones, writer Alice McDermott, comedian Conan O'Brien, novelist Alice Walker and author Tobias Wolff make appearances in the film and share their unvarnished opinions about O'Connor and her celebrated literary works.

The musical score for the film is set by award-winning composer Miriam Cutler and includes O'Connor-inspired music from Bruce Springsteen and Lucinda Williams.

Creators

'Flannery' is the product of an eight-year journey. It was created by Elizabeth Coffman, an associate professor of film and digital media at Loyola University Chicago, and Jesuit priest, Father Mark Bosco, vice president for mission and ministry at Georgetown University. Coffman also owns and directs films with Ted Hardin of Long Distance Productions. Bob Hercules Christopher O'Hare and Stefan Sonnenfeld serve as executive producers for 'Flannery'. 

Trailer

'Flannery' is the recipient of the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film."'Flannery' is an extraordinary documentary that allows us to follow the creative process of one of our country’s greatest writers," filmmaker Ken Burns, who also chairs his namesake award said about the film. The film had been initially screened on college campuses but created a buzz among broader audiences after it premiered at the Hot Springs Film Festival in Arkansas, in 2019. In the same month, the film was awarded the Best Documentary Feature at the Austin Film Festival. 

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