This week on BEHIND THE LENS, we’re talking about a very special film about a very special woman that was made by another special woman.
The film is AUDREY’S CHILDREN and that special woman is pioneering pediatric oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans and her groundbreaking work in the 1960s and 70s at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, or CHOP as it is more commonly known. And that special filmmaker is director AMI CANAAN MANN.
AUDREY’S CHILDREN tells the untold true story of visionary British physician Dr. Audrey Evans, who burst onto the scene in 1969 as the first female Chief of Oncology at the world-renowned Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Battling sexism, medical conventions, and the subterfuge of her peers, Evans developed the first Neuroblastoma Staging System, co-founded the first Ronald McDonald House with the Philadelphia Eagles for families of CHOP cancer patients, and, ultimately, impacted the lives of millions of children and families around the world.
After a stint at Boston Hospital and then time spent in the hematology and oncology unit at University of Chicago, in 1969 Audrey was recruited by C. Everett Koop, Surgeon-in-Chief at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and future U.S Surgeon General, to create a pediatric oncology unit at CHOP where she remained for the rest of her career. Even today, cancer research and treatment is impacted by the work of Audrey Evans and her colleagues at CHOP, notably Dr. Dan D’Angio, with whom Audrey shared a 50-year friendship and more. Right now, CHOP is at the forefront of gene replacement research, searching for a cure for BPAN – a Beta Propeller Protein associated with neurodegeneration – and other WDR-45 related disorders. BPAN is what’s called an Orphan Disease as only 750 children worldwide are afflicted with it. In the United States, Orphan Diseases are defined as affecting fewer than 200,000 individuals (according to the Orphan Drug Act of 1983) and have limited research and development due to their rarity and may not be profitable for pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments which makes research even more difficult.
And it’s director, AMI CANAAN MANN, who brings Dr. Evans’s story to life with AUDREY’S CHILDREN. Written by Julia Fisher Farbman, AUDREY’S CHILDREN stars Natalie Dormer as Audrey Evans, Clancy Brown as C. Everett Koop, Jimmi Simpson as Dr. Dan D’Angio, Brandon Michael Hall as Dr. Faust, and a scene-stealing performance by young Julianna Layne as young cancer patient Mia, who will capture your heart. And for all of you Eagles fans out there, look for a nice cameo from Jim Murray, Jr. who plays his dad Jimmy Murray, former General Manager of the Eagles and co-founder of the Ronald McDonald House with Dr. Evans. Did you know that there are now over 685 Ronald McDonald Houses around the world? And it all started with Audrey Evans, the Eagles, and Philadelphia.
Production values of AUDREY’S CHILDREN are first-rate thanks to cinematographer Jon Keng, along with editor Matt Ramsey, composer Genevieve Vincent, production designer Amber Unkle, set dresser Kimitha Cashin, and costume designer Sarah Maiorino.
It was wonderful to reconnect with AMI CANAAN MANN after more than a decade since we last spoke about her work with “Texas Killing Fields”. And as you’ll hear in this exclusive conversation, we cover everything from Mice to Ronald McDonald as Amy emphasizes the importance of capturing Audrey Evans’s story, particularly her groundbreaking research in pediatric oncology. Mann praises the cast, particularly Natalie Dormer and Jimmi Simpson, for portraying Audrey and Dan.
Diving deep, we discuss the film’s visual style, using vintage lenses and natural lighting to create an authentic 1960s atmosphere. The production design, including Audrey’s vibrant wardrobe and the deliberate use of patterns, enhances the film’s emotional depth. And let’s not forget the film’s editing and Genevieve Vincent’s beautiful musical score, inspired by jazz and boasting a lot of the musicians from the renowned Baked Potato here in Los Angeles, all further enhancing the narrative’s impact. When you see the film, it’s hard to believe it was shot in only 23 days.
With a female star, director, writer/producer, and more, the story of one of the nation’s most significant female physicians is hitting theaters during Women’s History Month. March 6th also would have been the late Dr. Audrey Evans’s 100th birthday. After years of collaborating and supporting the film, Evans passed away two weeks into the start of physical production.
So, take a listen to my exclusive interview with director AMI CANAAN MANN discussing AUDREY’S CHILDREN.
AUDREY’S CHILDREN is now in theatres.
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