Mass is a 2021 American drama film starring Reed Birney, Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs, and Martha Plimpton, and written and directed by Fran Kranz in his directorial debut. On January 30, 2021, the film made its global premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Bleecker Street is planning to release it on October 8, 2021.
In Mass, a drama of searing intimacy that trades the political for the personal in its observations on gun violence and mental health, debuting writer-director Fran Kranz’s years as an actor show in the stunning performances he elicits from his small ensemble.
The film confronts the apparently endless agony of school shootings in America from the perspective of grieving parents on both sides of the tragedy, six years later, with laser intensity and brutal emotional sincerity. It’s a distressing but cathartic watch, with scenes of wrenching release delivered by each of the four excellent major actors.
In a face-to-face encounter, Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton, Ann Dowd, and Reed Birney play the parents of one of the victims and the perpetrator of a school shooting.
The film had its world premiere in the Premieres section of the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 30, 2021. The film’s distribution rights were acquired by Bleecker Street in May 2021. On October 8, 2021, it is set to be released. Sky Cinema bought the UK and Ireland distribution rights in September 2021.
Mass filming locations
It was announced that Fran Kranz would develop and film Mass, his feature directorial debut, in November 2019, with Reed Birney, Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs, and Martha Plimpton attached to act.
The majority of the action takes place around a table in a small Episcopal church’s downstairs community room; it was shot in Hailey, Idaho, though the town is nameless in the script.
If you’ve ever visited Idaho, you know that it has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Mountains with craggy peaks, whitewater, and dusty back roads. Many filmmakers agree that you won’t find a better backdrop for your film production anywhere else.
But, as much as Idaho residents brag about their mountains, farms, lava flows, and quaint towns, it’s not just the mountains, farms, lava flows, and quaint towns that make Idaho so special.
Summer days last until 10 p.m., there is a pleasant four-season climate, and accommodations are available to suit any budget. Film licences are not required in most of their cities, saving time and money. The crews have a diverse set of production talents as well as a positive, can-do attitude.
Sun Valley, Idaho
The movie has been completely filmed in Idaho however there isn’t much to see because the scenes are largely shot in doors and show heart wrenching conversations between the parents who lost a child and a perpetrator of school shootings.
Sun Valley is an Idaho tourist town. Sun Valley resort’s Bald Mountain and nearby Dollar Mountain ski areas are well-known, with the latter having gentler slopes. The resort offers miles of mountain trails, equestrian trails, and wildflower-filled meadows throughout the summer.
Many more trails begin near town, such as Fox Creek and Trail Creek, which give a path up Proctor Mountain for views of the valley.
In specific, the shooting took place in the city of Hailey which is where Friedman Memorial Airport, the airport for Sun Valley’s resort area, is located. The church in the city of Hailey is the one location which is extensively used in the film because a vast majority of the scenes are shot around a small table in the church’s community room.
This movie has garnered massive praise and we would definitely encourage you to give this one a watch!