An unexpected little treat has arrived on the eve of SXSW: the trailer for “Frank,” one of our favorite films from the Sundance Film Festival. Starring Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Scott McNairy, “Frank” is a wickedly funny yet poignant look at outsider art, misfits, freaky rock n’ roll and more. Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (“What Richard Did”), the film is loosely based on the story of Chris Sievey, aka Frank Sidebottom, an English musician who became notorious for always wearing a giant papier–mache head whenever he played live.
“Frank” uses that as a jumping off point to tell the story of a young dreamer (Domnhall Gleeson), who find himself joining a strange art-rock band led by the Syd Barrett-like genius, and potentially mentally ill, Frank (Fassbender). Out of Sundance, our review described the idiosyncratic picture as a “terrific and sublime experience” and “strikingly original.”
Whimsical, without being too precious, this new trailer from The Guardian seems to capture the eclectic spirit of the movie well. “Frank” is due in U.K. on on May 9th and stateside, Magnolia will release the picture sometime later this year. Watch the first trailer below.
That looks wonderful.