The story

Set in the 1950’s, Penny and Charlie tells the story of Penny, an eight-year-old girl, struggling to cope with her mother’s impending death from a chronic illness. Her reaction is to take control - to assume more responsibilities, to please and protect her mother. Penny’s brother, Charlie, much to her ire, keeps his mother at a distance, increasingly misbehaving and acting destructively. Over the course of one miserably hot summer day - with her father away at work and Charlie working her last, raw nerve - Penny loses her grasp on the control that has kept her intact.

13 minutes, 35mm Kodak film, Recipient of the Panavision New Filmmaker Grant

A note from the Director

Climbing up the stairs or balancing along a curb, Penny counts out her steps in fours. She concentrates on the static of a broken radio; she holds her breath; she strives to make the best tea in the universe. In the only way this eight-year-old girl can comprehend, she’s attempting to make sense of her world and keep it in order—to exert control in the face of a reality that couldn’t be further from her control. It is brave nonetheless.

This film would not have been possible without the generosity of so many people - generosity of finances, resources, equipment, and, especially, time. Very special thanks to Ric Halpern at Panavision and Gail Duncan at Kodak. To Sonny, Linda, Ernest, and Edna. Abundant thanks to my talented cast and crew and the time and energy they gave during the hottest week of the summer - sans air conditioning. To my talented post-production collaborators. Particular thanks to Matt and Adam who were my partners, who supported and challenged me in making this thing extraordinary from start to finish. Huge thanks to my father for his ongoing support and belief in me. And to my mother who made me promise to take her as my date to the awards shows.

I hope you enjoy Penny and Charlie. Thank you for visiting.

--Shannon Latimer