Filmmaker Statement

The idea for 'Pet Name' struck me when I heard a friend call his new partner by the same nickname ("Pickles", if you’re curious) as his ex. I was equally amused and horrified, but it got me thinking about other aspects of relationships that we recycle and repeat. This, and the vital role language plays in making a relationship feel authentic and unique, which is a theme that ran through my previous short film, 'Saudade'. It felt ripe for a comedy-drama. When I was discussing this idea with the co-writer and producer Amille Jampa-Ngoen, who had been delving into attachment theory at the time, we agreed on grounding the story within the context of an anxious-avoidant relationship. This is a surprisingly common yet toxic relationship dynamic that often forms repeated behaviour cycles, which can sometimes feel a bit like a doom loop.