Joe The King

Actor Frank Whaley makes his directorial debut with an award-winning and poetic semi-autobiographical story about the misfortunes of a 14-year-old boy. When not enduring physical and mental abuse from his alcoholic father (Val Kilmer), the anger of his mother (Karen Young), or humiliation from teachers and fellow students, Joe (Noah Fleiss) toils as a dishwasher at a local diner. Reminded of his father's many debts, Joe eventually succumbs to the temptation of petty theft, a tragic decision that will mark him for the remainder of his life.

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