Returning home, Pearl navigates the disconnect felt with those once closest to her. In order to move forward, she attempts to stitch together the relationships of her youth.

Creative team

Writer: Kimberly-Sue Murray
Director: Ian Macmillan
Producers: Ian Macmillan, Kimberly-Sue Murray, Martin Wojtunik, Hannah Anderson

Filmmaker’s statement

The purl stitch in knitting represents a backward motion, looping back on the previous knot in order to progress forward. In this film, we follow Pearl, just as much a work in progress in her own right. She is person who has chosen proudly to rebel from her surroundings and her upbringing. Headstrong and steadfast. Making her way without looking back.

The dwindling health of her father means running back toward what she had so assuredly run away from years before. This is familiar territory but unfamiliar circumstance. Familiar faces bring back painful memories. Roads not travelled can seem like opportunities lost and those that were once closest to us can become the furthest from our reach.

In the excitement and urgency of youth, it’s so easy to leave the people and places we love to pursue our insatiable curiosity and the need for an escape. The nostalgic image of home remains one absent of change in our minds. But ultimately, time marches on. Lives march forward. Eventually the image of our memory is shattered by the reality of the present.

Returning home is a source of anxiety for so many. So easily we fall back in to the familial roles we once played, reacquainting ourselves with our old habits and reigniting the flames of old feuds.

Now, Pearl needs to find new ground on this old soil. To accept the choices of her youth and to face the pain lingering in those she left behind. To forge a connection with the person she once was. Hoping the people she loves can help her grow into the woman she longs to be.

About Ian Macmillan

Ian Macmillan has an extremely diverse resume as a filmmaker.

As a director, he recently completed the short film Purl which screend at the 2018 Canadian Film Festival. His short film Shavasana has screened at numerous film festivals and is currently featured online by the National Screen Institute.

As part of the director-duo PILA, Ian directed several music videos for artists such as Jenn Grant, Buck 65, Rich Aucoin and was awarded Musique Plus’ Video of the Week for the video MTL by St. Ange.

His award-winning documentary, Within Sight of Shore, screened at multiple festivals and was featured several times as an episode of CBC’s Land & Sea. Ian is also one of the creators of the online children’s puppet show, Couch Fort, alongside Joe Cobden.

Ian spends the majority of his time behind the lens as a cinematographer. An associate member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers, his images have been seen at festivals around the world. His portfolio includes dozens of short films and seven feature films.

His latest feature, She Never Died, is an action thriller produced by V71 Entertainment. Other credits include the digtal series’ The Plateaus, Ghost BFF, Clarevoyant, Upstairs Amy, The Bitter End and award-winning action comedy Filth City for which he was nominated for a 2018 CSC Award.

His long list of music videos includes artists such as Majid Jordan, Karl Wolf, Swollen Members, The Weeknd, SonReal and Jessie Reyez, to name a few. In addition, he has photographed several award-winning commercials for clients such as Nike, McDonalds, Coors Light, Paypal and Cineplex. Ian has also lensed programs for VICELAND, Discovery, HGTV, Super Channel, Food Network, YTV and BRAVO.

The OLN documentary series Illusions of Grandeur garnered him a 2015 CSC award nomination.