"A stirring, pro-tolerance documentary." – Hollywood Reporter

"He was solving a problem." That's how one juror describes the actions of Brandon McInerney, a 14-year-old from Oxnard, California, who shot and killed his cross-dressing classmate Lawrence King. Serving a 21-year sentence for second-degree murder, Brandon has been cast as both monster and victim, but the truth of the matter is far more complex – and uncomfortable.

In the timely Valentine Road, first-time filmmaker Marta Cunningham unpicks the story of a modern-day tragedy. Winning the trust of a town in mourning, Cunningham weaves a clear-eyed, challenging and impassioned portrait of middle American collapse and the often tragic consequences of everyday intolerance.

"Richly detailed, deeply affecting … certain to command attention." – Variety

Marta Cunningham is a guest of the festival.

For School Bookings please click here to visit the ATOM website.

MIFF recommends age 15+

All films featured as part of the Next Gen program are approved for screening by the Office of Film and Literature Classification. No person under the age of 15 years shall be admitted to Next Gen screenings unless in the company of an adult guardian. 

D Marta Cunningham P Marta Cunningham, Sasha Alpert, Eddie Schmidt WS The Film Collaborative TD HD Cam/2013