Swan Song (2021 Todd Stephens film)

Not to be confused with Swan Song (2021 Benjamin Cleary film).

2021 American film

Swan Song

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| Todd Stephens
Written by| Todd Stephens
Produced by|

* Todd Stephens
* Eric Eisenbrey
* Tim Kaltenecker
* Rhet Topham
* Stephen Israel

Starring|

* Udo Kier
* Jennifer Coolidge
* Linda Evans
* Michael Urie
* Ira Hawkins
* Stephanie McVay

Cinematography| Jackson Warner Lewis
Edited by|

* Spencer Schilly
* Santiago Figueira W.

Music by| Chris Stephens

Production
companies

* Luna Pictures
* House of Gemini
* XYZ Films

Distributed by| Magnolia Pictures

Release dates

* March 17, 2021 (2021-03-17) (SXSW)
* August 6, 2021 (2021-08-06) (United States)

Running time

| 105 minutes
Country| United States
Language| English
Box office| $177,903[1][2]

Swan Song is a 2021 American drama film, written, directed, and produced by Todd Stephens. It stars Udo Kier, Jennifer Coolidge, Linda Evans, Michael Urie, Ira Hawkins, and Stephanie McVay.

It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 17, 2021. It was released in a limited release on August 6, 2021, prior to video on demand on August 13, 2021, by Magnolia Pictures.

## Plot

[edit]

Retired hairdresser Pat Pitsenbarger, once renowned as the "Liberace of Sandusky", takes a long walk to style his former client's hair for her funeral.[3]

## Cast

[edit]

* Udo Kier as Pat Pitsenbarger
* Jennifer Coolidge as Dee Dee Dale
* Linda Evans as Rita Parker Sloan
* Michael Urie as Dustin
* Ira Hawkins as Eunice
* Stephanie McVay as Sue
* Tom Bloom as Walter Shanrock
* Justin Lonesome as Miss Velma
* Thom Hilton as Gabriel
* Shanessa Sweeney as Ro Ro
* Bryant Carroll as Lyle
* Shelby Garrett as Evie
* Catherine Albers as Janie
* Dave Sorboro as Josiah
* Roshon Thomas as Shaundell
* Annie Kitral as Miss Gertie
* Eric Eisenbrey as David
* Jonah Blechman as Tristan
* Tim Murray as Nurse
* Cheryl Talley-Sharp as Phyllis
* Ray Perrin as Scottie

## Release

[edit]

The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 17, 2021.[4] Prior to, Magnolia Pictures acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film.[5] It was released in a limited release on August 6, 2021, prior to video on demand on August 13, 2021.[6]

## Reception

[edit]

Swan Song received positive reviews from film critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 102 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Udo Kier's layered performance lends Swan Song a nuance and poignancy that offset its potentially outlandish story."[7] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 65 out of 100, based on 26 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[8]

### Accolades

[edit]

On December 14, 2021, Udo Kier was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead and Stephens for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay.[9] On January 21, 2022, the film itself was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Release.[10]

Year  | Award  | Category  | Recipient(s)  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

2022  | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Male Lead | Udo Kier | Nominated  | [9]
2022  | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Screenplay | Todd Stephens | Nominated  | [9]
2022  | GLAAD Media Awards | Outstanding Film – Limited Release | Swan Song | Nominated  | [10]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Swan Song (2021)". The Numbers. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
2. ^ "Swan Song (2021)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
3. ^ Austin, Nic (2021-09-21). "New Film 'Swan Song' Celebrates an Aging Gay Man's Last Hurrah". advocate.com. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
4. ^ Day-Ramos, Dino (February 10, 2021). "SXSW Film Festival Unveils Full Lineup; Charli XCX Quarantine Feature To Close Fest; Tom Petty Docu Set As Centerpiece". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
5. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 18, 2021). "Magnolia Pictures Takes Worldwide Rights To Hairdresser Comedy 'Swan Song' – SXSW". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
6. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (June 26, 2021). "'Swan Song' Trailer: Udo Kier Is Fabulous as a Hairdresser on a Mission". IndieWire. Retrieved June 26, 2021.[permanent dead link]
7. ^ "Swan Song (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
8. ^ "Swan Song". Metacritic. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
9. ^ a b c Tangcay, Jazz; Lang, Brent (2021-12-14). "Indie Spirit Awards 2022: Full List of Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
10. ^ a b "The Nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. 2022-01-21. Retrieved 2022-01-22.

## External links

[edit]

* Swan Song at IMDb
* Swan Song at Rotten Tomatoes
* Swan Song at Metacritic

*[Ref.]: References