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As Damien Chazelle prepares to possibly become the youngest director to win Best Director (barely beating out Norman Taurog, who has held the record for 85 years), there is more history being made on the other end of the spectrum. Oscar-winning actress Ellen Burstyn is set to make her directorial debut at the age of 84 with the comedy BATHING FLO, to be produced and financed by QC Entertainment.
Burstyn isn’t beating the record of oldest director, that’s still held by Takeo Kimura, who was 90 when Dreaming Awake premiered, but it’s still an admirable feature to add to her already impressive resume.
The film focuses on Danny, who’s offered the opportunity to house-sit in exchange for free rent. However, what he’s not told is that the exchange also includes Flo (to be played by Burstyn), an eccentric woman, forcing them to reluctantly agree to share the space — as well as, of course, life lessons.
The script was written by Lauren Lake, who will also have a supporting role in the film, and based on a draft by Danny Brocklehurst and Danny Sherman.
Darko Entertainment’s Sean McKittrick and Movie Package Co.’s Ray Mansfield will produce with Sherman and Lake.
Burstyn won the 1975 Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and has been nominated for several more. She is one Grammy away from an EGOT. Her last role was in the comedy film Weiner-Dog alongside Danny DeVito and Greta Gerwig.
She’s repped by ICM and MGMT Entertainment.
Anya Crittenton | Associate Editor
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