Good Boy Banjo - a short film by Jackie! Zhou

Amy is lost. She is doing the “gap year thing,” but she doesn’t really know what she wants to do now that she has graduated from high school. One afternoon, she unexpectedly finds reassurance. S/W alum Jackie! Zhou (Order for Pickup) is back with Good Boy Banjo, a surprisingly effective slice-of-life drama that depicts a highly relatable existential crisis, led by a poignant lead performance.

Zhou confessed that the inspiration for Good Boy Banjo was actually the location: Baltimore, which they fell in love with while attending the New/Next Festival. While the film is set in Pennsylvania, they explained that “it’s pretty darn close, and I truly fell in love with the film community.” Since they are developing a feature in the same universe, they added that they “wanted to make a short film on location with Tehillah (DP) and Shirley (lead actor) to explore the vibes and get our toes wet shooting in the world of the feature.”

Shirley Chen (L) stars alongside Mace Coronel in Good Boy Banjo

The concept of Good Boy Banjo is undeniably simple: small-town vibes where thinking about the future can feel both exciting and bland at the same time. The main character is at a turning point in her life, forced to make a decision she seems unable to face. This existential crisis sits at the core of the narrative, which Zhou navigates with side characters gently pushing Amy toward realization.

While Amy and her situation are specific, what Zhou taps into is deeply universal – a feeling of being overwhelmed by the state of the world and the pressure to make the best possible personal choices. At the same time, they make room for the opposite kind of coming-of-age story, portraying characters who are genuinely excited and hopeful about what lies ahead.

DP Tehillah De Castro and production designer Sophie Peter (who both worked with Zhou on previous short Order for Pickup) immerse us in the small town atmosphere, echoing both the vastness of the location and its emptiness and quiet. Editor Dan Carr (who also stars in S/W pick The Flute) further shapes the film through a pacing that conveys how Amy moves in her world. The visual language changes when she finally connects with “someone”, Banjo the dog, deepening the emotional engagement with the film.

“The process of making this film was not radically revolutionary, but it felt like we leaned into the magic of collaboration and friendship to make our tender little movie” – Zhou on their production.

As is often the case with such subtle, emotional journeys, the performances are stellar. Archer (the dog), who plays the titular character, is surprisingly impressive, delivering a genuine sense of relief and reassurance. Grace Monahan brings just the right level of intensity to contrast with Amy’s vibe, while Mace Coronel (Pocket) provides a positive, hopeful touch – each performance enhancing the narrative. Amy may look familiar to some, played by indie darling Shirley Chen (Sean Wang’s Didi, Danny Madden’s Krista, and Beast Beast). She remarkably conveys all the vulnerabilities of her character, straying away from the usual cliches and taking us fully on Amy’s emotional and internal journey.

Good Boy Banjo had its world premiere at the 2024 edition of Baltimore New/Next, then made notable stops on the festival circuit, including Palm Springs ShortFest and Dallas. In addition to their narrative work, Jackie! Zhou also works in documentary and music video, having recently collaborated with Chappell Roan on the music video HOT TO GO! and the docuseries The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.