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A coming-of-age tale based on Joe Meno’s debut novel, Tender as Hellfire, about 11-year-old Dough who moves to a trailer park in the town of Tenderloin with his 13-year-old brother, Pill-Bug, his mother, and her boyfriend, French, several years after his father’s body was found pinned under a semi. Surrounded by a menagerie of odd characters, including Mr. Deebs, Tenderloin’s creepy funeral director, and old Mrs. Garnier who plans to be stuffed like an animal when she dies, Dough is forced to navigate his new surroundings. This is no easy task because, as far as Dough can see, living in Tenderloin is punishment for his father’s sinful past and his mother’s late-night romps with French. Peace is a million miles away. Neither church nor sleep offers Dough the solace he needs, as the faces of Tenderloin inhabit both his waking life and his haunting nightmares. But this all changes when El Rey del Perdito moves into the park. Suddenly the strange becomes intriguing, and things are no longer what they seem at first glance. In the end, the sweet sounds of tango music lead the cynical boy to find beauty and a friend in the most unexpected place.

USA - 2004 - 15 mn - 35 mm - Colour

Director Karen Friedberg Script Karen Friedberg based on Joe Meno Camera Christopher Rejano Editing Susan Okimoto Cast Zach Gray, Gustavo Mellado

Production Phika Films, 642 S. Lyman Ave, 60304 Oak Park, Illinois, Etats-Unis d'Amérique Tél : +1 708 763 0724 E-mail : kfriedberg@yahoo.fr

Sales Phika Films, 642 S. Lyman Ave, 60304 Oak Park, Illinois, Etats-Unis d'Amérique Tél : +1 708 763 0724 E-mail : kfriedberg@yahoo.fr