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Logline

An ostracized young gay man faces personal challenges when he returns to his rural Florida hometown to provide caregiving support for the family he left behind before they reach their breaking point.

Synopsis

Jude “JJ” Jordan, a young man working as an alligator mascot at an Orlando theme park, grapples with insecurities, notably a stubborn baby tooth that has remained with him into adulthood. In an attempt to appear less childish, he molds chewing gum over it and dons fake muscles.

Upon learning that his elderly grandmother, Frances, has developed a mysterious wound, Jude hesitantly returns to his rural hometown of Stalbrook for a few days where his mother, Connie, and sister, Apple, care for Frances. The family navigates tensions, financial strains, and the revelation of Jude’s hidden trauma. Frances enjoys watching a 1960s music variety show on the television and believes she was once a conductor on the show—an idea that Connie constantly shuts down.

Amid caregiving duties, the family finds solace in karaoke nights and shared memories, but Jude’s insecurities prevent him from being fully present, sometimes closing himself off to go for a run or work out. After an exercise injury to the mouth, Jude visits a dentist and asks for his baby tooth to be surgically removed. X-ray images unexpectedly reveal the underestimated strength of the tooth’s roots, leading the dentist to advise against removal and suggest Jude adapts to this childhood memento in other ways.

As Connie’s car gets repossessed, she and Jude argue and unravel the past; Jude acknowledges that he lacked a feeling of safety during childhood, which Connie laments. In this revelation, Connie takes a step toward accepting Jude’s authenticity. Jude encourages Apple to pursue her dream of joining a professional cheer team, and Connie learns the importance of playing along with Frances’s stories of having been on the television show. As the family bids farewell to Frances, they discover strength in embracing individuality and collective support. Jude tells them he will stay in Stalbrook.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Drew Lewis Brown – Writer/Director
Drew Lewis Brown earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking from The Art Institute of Jacksonville where he later returned as an adjunct professor of writing and directing. For his thesis film, Drew was awarded a Student Academy Award from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. He has written, produced, and directed a variety of films and digital content surrounding topics of gender expression, sexual identity, and social issues in the American south. The Jacksonville Mayor’s Office selected Drew as a recipient of the Rising Star Award for outstanding contributions and achievements in Jacksonville’s Film and Television Industry.

Trey McIntyre – Executive Producer
Trey McIntyre has worked over 30 years as a freelance choreographer and producer, creating more than 100 pieces with companies including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Queensland Ballet. In 2005, he founded his dance company, Trey McIntyre Project, achieving great audience and critical success. For the company, Trey raised $2M annually, created over 23 original dance works, and produced numerous film projects, interactive site-specific works, and photography collections. Trey’s feature-length documentary Gravity Hero premiered at the Dance on Camera Film Festival at Lincoln Center.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.