Robin Weigert of ‘Concussion’

You might not think that premiering a lesbian drama/thriller in conservative Utah would be a good idea. Fortunately for first time writer/director Stacie Passon, she premiered her debut film Concussion at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it was immediately purchased by the Weinstein Company for distribution. The success of Lisa Cholodenko’s 2010 film The Kids Are Alright, may have played a part in opening the door for the purchase.

Concussion went on to win a Berlin Teddy Award Jury Prize for an outstanding film with a LGBT theme. It stars Deadwood’s Calamity Jane, Robin Weigert, as well-heeled lesbian Abby. Abby is disillusioned with her same-sex marriage and her McMansion in New Jersey. Abby’s ho-hum wealthy domestic life, with two kids and a dog, is going through a mid-life crisis. Things take an interesting turn when Abby suffers a concussion after being beaned in the head by her son’s baseball. Abby becomes Eleana, buys a get-away pied-a-terre in Manhattan, and begins to live a double-life as a sexy high-end lesbian escort.

Also starring Mad Men’s and Sons of Anarchy’s Maggie Siff as the cuckolded spouse, Royal Pains Ben Shenkman, Joanthan Tchaikowsky (Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs), and Laila Robbins (Planes, Trains & Automobiles), Concussion deals with the present day realities of life after forty, love after forty and prostitution after forty.

Produced by Anthony Cupo, Rose Troche and Cliff Chenfield, Concussion bows in theaters October 4th.