Backroad Blues

Directed by Blake Eckard

When broke, constantly spieling drifter Chip has a chance encounter with Kent, a Bootheel resident who's up north earning money to send home to his wife and daughter, he mercilessly exploits their uneasy friendship. After Chip's intrusive behavior causes the pair to be given the boot from the farm where they're working, the odd couple embarks on a road trip that ultimately leads to disaster. Shot over seven days on 13 rolls of re-canned 16mm, "Backroad" was a true DIY production, with the writer/director rolling both camera and sound, and the two actors essentially serving as the entire crew. -- St. Louis International Film Festival program notes