Mudge Boy, The

Directed by : Michael Burke

THE MUDGE BOY chronicles the troubled existence of Duncan Mudge, a 14-year-old misfit who—while vying for the attention of his vacant father—struggles to fill the void brought on by his mother`s sudden death. The film stars Emile Hirsch (The Emperor`s Club, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys), is executive-produced by Emmy ® and Golden Globe ® winning actor Stanley Tucci (The Core, Big Night) and directed by Michael Burke (Fishbelly White).

Duncan (Hirsch) and his mother had always seemed nothing short of unconventional, a shared personality trait that folks in their tiny farm town had whispered about. After Mrs. Mudge`s untimely death, Duncan finds himself unable to part with her spirit. He mimics her voice, wears her fur coat to bed and carries her pet chicken with him everywhere. His father, Edgar, (Richard Jenkins) is offended by his bizarre behavior and becomes intent on manipulating his son by laying down new rules and turning his coddled son into someone more masculine.

Unwittingly, Duncan makes himself the target of ridicule among the local teens. He finds a friend in Perry (Thomas Guiry), the oldest member of the "Townies." After convincing his friends to accept Duncan, bits of Perry`s concealed personality surface, threatening to destroy their relationship when the lines between friendship and love become distorted.

THE MUDGE BOY was nominated for the prestigious Grand Jury Prize at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and was named one of 12 screenplays selected for the Sundance Institute January 2000 Filmmaker`s Lab. The script was the American winner of the 2000 Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award and also received First Prize for the 2001 Richard Vague Grant.