DAD JOKE

Logline:
In a suburban idyll shadowed by global tensions, a middle-aged Dad navigates the mundanity of domestic life, his struggle for connection with his family, and the looming threat of an international crisis, leading to a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the humor that binds us.

Synopsis:
Dad Joke is a sharply observed drama set against the backdrop of a highly manicured suburban neighborhood.The Dad, a 40-something father, grapples with the small yet significant trials of family life: a dead animal found in the pool, the quest for personal time amidst his family's needs, and his fading connection with his teenage daughter, Olive. As The Dad and an unexpected intruder embark on a night of escapism, global tensions escalate in the background, culminating in a crisis that brings The Dad's personal struggles into stark relief. This film weaves together the threads of humor, despair, and the search for meaning in a precarious world.

  • R.C. Barker
    Director
    The Dangling Modifier
  • Jim Russo
    Writer
    The Dangling Modifier
  • Robert Barker
    Writer
    The Dangling Modifier
  • Jim Russo
    Key Cast
    "The Dad"
  • Chris Phipps
    Key Cast
    "The Trespasser"
    The Dangling Modifier
  • Margarita Huizar-Orozco
    Key Cast
    "Voice Of Olive"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 27 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 7, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    12,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 6K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - R.C. Barker

After graduating San Francisco State University with an MFA in playwriting, Robert Barker had staged readings of his dramas at The Magic Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, and many other venues. His screenwriting has gotten him into the semi-finals for Sundance Lab, but his real dream, as the saying goes, has always been to direct. 23 years into a high school English and Film teaching career, he's finally gotten his chance.

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Director Statement

This film was written by, directed by, and stars high school teachers. The three of us spent considerable time in Los Angeles, years ago, pursuing writing, filmmaking, and acting -- but we didn't know each other then. Each of us, in our own way, turned to teaching (think Waiting Tables 2.0) when our projects and prospects hadn't yet delivered.

We hope DAD JOKE will showcase our skills, as we are in search of greater opportunities to continue making films, including features and TV series.

I am influenced by the French New Wave, and more recently by directors like Sean Baker and Ruben Ostlund. My favorite films make me ask "Am I supposed to laugh?" And then I laugh. And then I can't stop thinking about the film. Or why it made me laugh.