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IMDbPro

Francesca Rizzo(I)

  • Director
  • Actress
  • Producer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Francesca Rizzo Actor/Director/Writer
A haunting, thought-provoking tale of an eccentric, vagabond poet who traverses Manhattan's streets in search of one good reason to continue making art in violent, troubled times. He awakens each morning in his home, a large cardboard box, parked at the base of the steps of the New York Public Library, ready to start the day reciting his poetry to early morning passersby. His quest begins pushing his red wire shopping cart around the city. He regales students, winos, executives and secretaries with his musings about William Saroyan, ecology and even a violin rendition of “Melancholy Baby.” His poems seem strangely whimsical, but before long, we find them entering into a deeper reality. We are reminded that our universe is in danger of self-destructing. And, 'poets can’t make oxygen!' Obsessed by his passion for Russian poetry and the suicide of his idol, Mayakovsky, he reaches out with wit and passion to the hearts of the people he meets on his journeys in his desperate search for life’s meaning until a chance encounter with one of the greatest forces of nature itself helps him to tap the irrepressible spirit of man which changes everything. Originally written as a solo play by Alexander Weiss in one night, as he was the lion keeper at the San Francisco Zoo, it was adapted for the screen by Weiss, and directed by Francesca Rizzo. “Engleström” is laced with an original, sophisticated, jazz score co-composed and arranged by Executive Producer/Actor, Al Sutton and Fernando Hernandez. (Official Selection) The Stepping Stone Film Festival, Chennai, India
Play clip0:40
The Poet Englestrom
2 Videos
16 Photos
Francesca Rizzo is known for Sullivan's Last Call (1995), The Poet Englestrom (2006) and Behind the Scenes with David Shatraw (1997).
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 5 nominations total

    Photos16

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    Known for

    Sullivan's Last Call (1995)
    Sullivan's Last Call
    7.0
    Short
    • Director
    • 1995
    The Poet Englestrom (2006)
    The Poet Englestrom
    Short
    • Director
    • 2006
    Behind the Scenes with David Shatraw (1997)
    Behind the Scenes with David Shatraw
    Short
    • Director
    • 1997
    Five Valid Reasons for Murdering Lisa (2006)
    Five Valid Reasons for Murdering Lisa
    Short
    • Director
    • 2006

    Credits

    IMDbPro

    Director

    • The Lady and the Dick (2020)
      The Lady and the Dick
      Short
      • Director
      • 2020
    • At the Time I Believed in God (2012)
      At the Time I Believed in God
      Video
      • Director
      • 2012
    • I Don't Like Boston Much (2012)
      I Don't Like Boston Much
      Video
      • Director
      • 2012
    • Sometimes a Cigar... (2012)
      Sometimes a Cigar...
      Video
      • Director
      • 2012
    • They Say Money Can't Buy Happiness (2012)
      They Say Money Can't Buy Happiness
      Video
      • Director
      • 2012
    • Five Valid Reasons for Murdering Lisa (2006)
      Five Valid Reasons for Murdering Lisa
      Short
      • Director
      • 2006
    • The Poet Englestrom (2006)
      The Poet Englestrom
      Short
      • directed by
      • 2006
    • The Lovers (2002)
      The Lovers
      Video
      • Director
      • 2002
    • Behind the Scenes with David Shatraw (1997)
      Behind the Scenes with David Shatraw
      Short
      • Director
      • 1997
    • Sullivan's Last Call (1995)
      Sullivan's Last Call
      7.0
      Short
      • Director
      • 1995

    Actress

    • The Lady and the Dick (2020)
      The Lady and the Dick
      Short
      • Dianne Dick
      • 2020
    • Tales from the Crypt (2000)
      Tales from the Crypt
      7.8
      TV Series
      • Wahdi (voice)
      • 2000
    • Mariska Hargitay in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)
      Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
      8.1
      TV Series
      • Ruby Mazzanti
      • 2000
    • Blair Brown, Dylan Baker, Adrian Pasdar, Grace Phillips, John Slattery, and Regina Taylor in Feds (1997)
      Feds
      5.2
      TV Series
      • Mrs. Abruzzi
      • 1997
    • Sullivan's Last Call (1995)
      Sullivan's Last Call
      7.0
      Short
      • Sullivan
      • 1995
    • Tony Goldwyn, Maura Tierney, Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, David Ajala, and Odelya Halevi in Law & Order (1990)
      Law & Order
      7.8
      TV Series
      • Mrs. O'Connor (as Fran Rizzo)
      • 1993
    • Tribeca Stories (1992)
      Tribeca Stories
      TV Movie
      • Beauty Parlor Owner
      • 1992
    • Sesame Street (1969)
      Sesame Street
      8.1
      TV Series
      • Pete the Dog (voice)
      • 1990
    • Francesca Rizzo in How to Be Donna Reed (1990)
      How to Be Donna Reed
      TV Mini Series
      • Donna Reed
      • 1990

    Producer

    • At the Time I Believed in God (2012)
      At the Time I Believed in God
      Video
      • producer
      • 2012
    • I Don't Like Boston Much (2012)
      I Don't Like Boston Much
      Video
      • producer
      • 2012
    • Sometimes a Cigar... (2012)
      Sometimes a Cigar...
      Video
      • producer
      • 2012
    • They Say Money Can't Buy Happiness (2012)
      They Say Money Can't Buy Happiness
      Video
      • producer
      • 2012
    • Five Valid Reasons for Murdering Lisa (2006)
      Five Valid Reasons for Murdering Lisa
      Short
      • producer
      • 2006
    • The Poet Englestrom (2006)
      The Poet Englestrom
      Short
      • producer
      • 2006
    • Behind the Scenes with David Shatraw (1997)
      Behind the Scenes with David Shatraw
      Short
      • producer
      • 1997
    • Sullivan's Last Call (1995)
      Sullivan's Last Call
      7.0
      Short
      • producer
      • 1995

    Videos2

    The Poet Englestrom
    Clip 0:40
    The Poet Englestrom
    Five Valid Reasons for Murdering Lisa - clip
    Clip 1:10
    Five Valid Reasons for Murdering Lisa - clip
    Five Valid Reasons for Murdering Lisa - clip
    Clip 1:10
    Five Valid Reasons for Murdering Lisa - clip

    Personal details

    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Facebook Page Dames Like Us
    • Alternative name
      • Fran Rizzo
    • Height
      • 5′ 4″ (1.63 m)
    • Other works
      Theater: A Change of Address (Red Earth Theater Ensemble, NYC) Written by Amy Brentano Played Jane, the uptight sister (with Allison Janney and Alison Mackie) in this abstract play about family rivalry and hidden agendas.
    • Publicity listings
      • 1 Interview
      • 1 Article
      • 1 Pictorial

    Self-verified on IMDbPro

    • Gender / Gender identity
      • Female

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      Award (Theater): Turnip Theater Festival, NYC (2001) "Coitus Hate-us" Outstanding Acting and Directing.
    • Quotes
      The way the world sees women becomes the way the world treats women.
    • Trademarks
        Long Silver Hair
    • Nickname
      • Franny

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