'Lingua Franca': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about Netflix drama on immigration and civil rights
'Lingua Franca' is a film that chronicles the struggles of an undocumented Filipina transwoman who tries to stay in the United States to get herself a green card. The film aired at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival Venice Days program, with Deadline reporting that it made history being the first-of-its-kind film directed by and starred a transwoman of color. Here is what we know of the drama's upcoming release.
Release date
'Lingua Franca' releases on Wednesday, August 26, 2020.
Plot
Deadline reports the synopsis of the socially and culturally relevant film to be, "The film follows the story of Olivia (Isabel Sandoval) who is a live-in caregiver or Olga (the late Lynn Cohen), an elderly Russian woman in Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach neighborhood. Olivia’s main priority is to secure a Green Card to stay in America, but when she unexpectedly becomes romantically involved with Olga’s adult grandson Alex (Eamon Farren), issues around identity, civil rights, and immigration threatens Olivia’s very existence."
Cast
Eamon Farren as Alex
(Getty Images/Eamonn M McCormack)
Farren is known for his roles as Rabbit in 'Chained' (2012), Ben Block in 'Winchester' (2018), Richard Horne in 'Twin Peaks' (2017) and Dave in 'Red Dog' (2011). His other recent works include 'Mohawk' (2017), 'Harmony' (2018), 'The ABC Murders' (2018) and 'The Witcher' (2019).
The rest of the cast includes Lynn Cohen as Olga, Lev Gorn as Murray, Megan Channell as Milla, Mark Nelson as Roman, PJ Boudousqué as Andrei, Ari Barkan as Emil, Ivory Aquino as Trixie, Shiloh Verrico as Maggie, Andrea Leight as Daria, Isabel Sandoval as Olivia and many more.
Creators
The movie is directed and written by Isabel Sandoval who also stars in the film. Romulo Aromin Jr, Nicole Cosgrove, Gigi Dement, RS Francisco, Sarah Brennan Kolb, Vincent R Nebrida, Fernando Ortigas, EA Rocha, and Samuel S Verzosa serve as executive producers.
Trailer
The trailer is stunning in its cinematography with sepia tones urging for interest and excitement. Isabel Sandoval is subtle in her acting, yet alluring in the way she brings to life a story that needs to be heard. This isn't the first production to touch upon the theme of "rights for all" and it won't be the last. Sandoval's renditions are like a beautiful story of love, morals and struggles. “Ms Sandoval’s introspective lens provides a depth and intimacy to her storytelling that is rarely embraced on screen. ARRAY is proud to embrace Lingua Franca and we look forward to sharing this meaningful work widely,” said ARRAY President Tilane Jones. ARRAY has acquired the film.
Where to watch
Catch 'Lingua Franca' on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, in theatres and on Netflix.
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