New Hampshire Film Festival 2008

On November 2, 1995, 11-year-old Jacob Hunter is coerced by his father into ruthlessly slaughtering his pet lamb as part of a ritual to mark his passage into manhood. On that day, Jacob's beloved big sister Candice, cannot protect him. Despite the pleas she makes to her mother and the resistance she poses to her father, she cannot save Jacob from his 'blooding.'Twelve years later, Jacob is a Marine, medically discharged from his duties in Iraq following a mysterious incident, returning home to surprise his beloved sister on her birthday. Candice has been excommunicated from her family--all except for Jacob, whose well-being she still feels an overwhelming responsibility for and whose trauma still colors every decision she makes. Jacob, before going to Candice's apartment, buys two bus tickets, one for himself and one for his sister. He's certain they can escape together, find a foreign place, and redeem their violent origins by starting life again. However, when Jacob arrives at Candice's apartment and discovers that she is not who he wants her to be, he is forced to confront and exorcize the inherited violence, rage, and hatred he is surprised to see inside himself. To do this, Jacob must painfully revisit the day his innocence was lost. And cathartically take it back.The following day, November 2nd, 2007, on the anniversary of his 'blooding,' Jacob Hunter wakes up in the bed he once shared with his sister and orchestrates one final protest against his father's bidding.