‘Chuck Chuck Baby’ Director on Smashing Genre Stereotypes in Edinburgh-Premiering Debut: ‘Not Just a Queer Love Story,’ but of ‘Female Love in All Its Forms’
Shayeza Walid The importance of laughter during times of loss is often undervalued. With her feature directorial debut, Janis Pugh showcases the significance of friendship and humor when grief strikes.
A musical rom-com drama, “Chuck Chuck Baby” underscores the power of female companionship through the ups and downs of life.
Premiering as part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s LGBTQ Stories section and also headed to Toronto Film Festival, “Chuck Chuck Baby” follows the life of Helen (Louise Brealey), a chicken factory worker in a small industrial town in northern Wales, whose life is mired in quotidian details, packaging chickens and caring for her ailing mother-figure Gwen.
Helen’s life is turned upside down, however, with the unexpected arrival of her former high school love Joanne (Annabel Scholey), who inspires a renewed appreciation in Helen of her hometown, her life and herself.
