"A closely, compassionately observed study." - Alex Barasch, Slate
"Every once in a while, a movie grabs you, unsuspecting, and hustles its way into your heart. Jeremiah Zagar's We The Animals does that."- Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal
"A tiny, uncut gem of a movie." - Jeanette Catsoulis, New York Times
WINNER, Sundance Film Festival Future/Now Award - director Jeremiah Zagar
WINNER, L.A. Outfest Outstanding American Narrative Feature
Us three. Us brothers. Us kings, inseparable. Three boys tear through their childhood, in the midst of their young parents' volatile love that makes and unmakes the family many times over. While Manny and Joel grow into versions of their loving and unpredictable father, Ma seeks to shelter her youngest, Jonah, in the cocoon of home. More sensitive and conscious than his older siblings, Jonah increasingly embraces an imagined world all his own.
With a screenplay by Dan Kitrosser and Jeremiah Zagar based on the celebrated Justin Torres novel (University of Iowa Writers' Workshop graduate), We The Animals is a visceral coming-of-age story propelled by layered performances from its astounding cast - including three talented, young first-time actors - and stunning animated sequences which bring Jonah's torn inner world to life. Drawing from his documentary background, director Jeremiah Zagar creates an immersive portrait of working class family life and brotherhood.