Man’s Best Friend

Man’s Best Friend

2 Episodes

A man’s love for his pet—whether it’s a dog or an alligator—is at the heart of these affectionately humanist tales of everyday resilience in the face of capitalism’s unfeeling machinery. Zachary Treitz brings an eye for offbeat Americana to his short WE’RE LEAVING, in which a longtime trailer-park resident finds a creative way to maintain his dignity when he—and his beloved alligator—are given one month to find a new home. Its themes of working-class survival stretch back to the neorealist tradition of Vittorio De Sica, whose exquisitely moving UMBERTO D. follows an elderly pensioner who—along with his loyal canine companion—struggles against the odds to stave off eviction in postwar Italy.

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Man’s Best Friend
  • We’re Leaving

    Episode 1

    Directed by Zachary Treitz • 2011 • United States
    Starring Rusty Blanton, Veronica Blanton, David Maloney

    Facing eviction, trailer-park resident Rusty Blanton is given thirty days to find a new home for himself, his wife, and their nineteen-year-old pet alligator, Chopper.

  • Umberto D.

    Episode 2

    Directed by Vittorio De Sica • 1952 • Italy
    Starring Carlo Battisti, Maria Pia Casilio

    This neorealist masterpiece by Vittorio De Sica follows an elderly pensioner as he strives to make ends meet during Italy’s postwar economic recovery. Alone except for his dog, Flike, Umberto struggles to main...