PET FARM

Joakim chases his childhood dream of breeding pet foxes, but external forces threaten to euthanize his beloved fox pack. "Pet Farm" is a story of loneliness, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human connections over bonds with animals.

SYNOPSIS

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Loneliness lies at the heart of Pet Farm. In Joakim's struggle for meaningful connections with humans, he turns to the animals. This cinematic narrative weaves a compelling portrait of exclusion, exploring the heart-wrenching struggle of an individual as he battles inner demons and powerful exterior forces.

Inspired by a 1970s Russian scientific experiment on fox domestication, Joakim embarks on the art of selective breeding and intricate training, realizing his childhood dream of owning his own pack of foxes. However, his pet project abruptly halts when authorities declare the farm a violation of wildlife law and threaten to euthanize his beloved fox pack. To what extent is a person willing to go to protect what they hold dear? In his battle to defend the foxes, he loses his footing and descends into an abyss of hatred and exclusion.

As he prepares for a showdown with the authorities, a ray of hope emerges in the form of an unexpected friend, Miro, a Slovakian butcher who steps up and cares for the helpless animals when all seems lost. Pet Farm is a documentary tale filled with humor and warmth, sadness and loneliness. It explores the profound connection between humans and animals, and the lengths one will go to preserve that bond.

WALTHER BROS

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The brothers Finn Walther and Martin A. Walther from Norway started the film production company Walther Bros in 2019. They have since produced several award-winning short films that adresses themes of underdogs, exclusion and radicalization. Pet Farm started as a short documentary project, but it later expanded into their first feature film endeavor.

DIRECTORS STATEMENT

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When we initially crossed paths with our main character, Joakim, in 2017, it was evident that both the farm and his story transcended the ordinary. Joakim's upbringing, defined by few friendships and complex family dynamics, led him to spend part of his formative years on his grandfather's fox farm. To him, this period represented the pinnacle of his life, igniting a profound connection with the foxes. It became apparent to us that these animals were akin to family for Joakim. Still, we could sense that his deepest longing in life remained to find a true friend. 

In Joakim's quest for meaningful connections with humans, he finds solace in turning to his foxes. Paradoxically, his reliance on animals takes Joakim deeper into isolation.The farm ultimately becomes a symbol of our innate longing for connection, highlighting the profound nature of affiliation. As we observe the harsh consequences of Joakim's exclusion, the mechanisms of radicalization become apparent to the extent that he is willing to sacrifice everything to protect his foxes. For us, Pet Farm prompts the question: what responsibility does society bear in preventing outsiders like Joakim from experiencing complete exclusion?

As filmmakers, we are drawn to the universal themes Pet Farm explores: loneliness, underdogs, and the mechanisms of radicalization. We recognize that Joakim has grappled with finding his place in society throughout his life. What he truly lacks is the opportunity to be genuinely heard and seen. We believe it is important to amplify the voices of outsiders like Joakim.

CONTACT

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