Pet Names

  • 75'
  • USA
  • 2018

Leigh's young-adult life has come to a grinding halt now she has to support her very sick mother during her trying chemotherapy. Leigh has stopped studying, sleeps, concerned, beside her mother and has seen her own social life almost disappear. It’s time for a break, Leigh’s mother thinks. She forces her daughter to go camping in the woods; away from it all, without any cares. Because Leigh hardly has any social contacts, she decides to take her ex-boyfriend along. The combination feels familiar, but drink-fueled campfires, a magic mushroom trip and a stray pug re-open old wounds.

This sensitive, contemporary drama about sorrow, broken hearts and growing up in a far-from-ideal world was written by the protagonist Meredith Johnston, drawing on her own experience. While the themes are pretty heavy, there’s lightness – and even humour – in the finely-honed dialogue.

Director
Carol Brandt
Premiere
European premiere
Country of production
USA
Year
2018
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
75'
Medium
DCP
Language
English
Producers
Suzanne Jurva, Chris James Thompson / Good Credit Productions, Carol Brandt
Production Company
Good Credit Productions
Sales
Pet Names, LLC
Screenplay
Meredith Johnston
Cinematography
Dana Shihadah
Editor
Carol Brandt
Music
Meredith Johnston, Rene Cruz
Cast
Meredith Johnston, Rene Cruz
Director
Carol Brandt
Premiere
European premiere
Country of production
USA
Year
2018
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
75'
Medium
DCP
Language
English
Producers
Suzanne Jurva, Chris James Thompson / Good Credit Productions, Carol Brandt
Production Company
Good Credit Productions
Sales
Pet Names, LLC
Screenplay
Meredith Johnston
Cinematography
Dana Shihadah
Editor
Carol Brandt
Music
Meredith Johnston, Rene Cruz
Cast
Meredith Johnston, Rene Cruz