“Expiration Date” by Giles Perkins
The end of an era looms as 4th-generation dairy farmer Ned nears a long overdue retirement. His adult son, Jacob, has chosen a different life path, effectively ending his family’s long history on the farm, a choice that prompts a new level of introspection from both father and son.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
"Growing up just a few minutes from Spring Garden Farm, it wasn’t until I moved to New York that I came to realize how special of a place it truly is. Over the course of the last few years, I went over to the farm in the early hours of the morning to film with Ned on many occasions, unsure of what I planned to do with the footage at the time, but feeling drawn to it nonetheless. It became therapeutic in many ways: we shared few words, often listening instead to the sound of Ned’s battered wheelbarrow breaking through the hum of machinery, his occasional discourse with an unruly cow, and the symphony of wildlife that overwhelms the morning well before the sun is up. In these moments, I came to understand his love for the farm and appreciate his dedication to the job.
As I got closer with his son, Jacob, I recognized his complex relationship with Ned and an understandable degree of separation from the farm. Interestingly, Jacob’s dedication to teaching mirrors Ned’s passion in many ways. Outside of a few distinguishable differences, Jacob and Ned share many of the same qualities and instincts: they are both tremendous people working as hard as they can to help others. As someone who is also searching for a proper work-life balance, this deeply resonated with me.
The culmination is a film that explores the complexities of work-life balance, autonomy within a family business, and a soon-to-be extinct era of the family dairy farm."
-Giles Perkins
CREDITS
Directed by Giles Perkins
FEATURING
Jacob Ensor, Ned Ensor, Bobbie Ensor
Executive Producer// Trust
Producer// Giles Perkins
Director of Photography// Giles Perkins
Additional Cinematography// Ted Tuel, John Zeng, & Hover Solutions
Editor// Giles Perkins
Colorist// Cameron Marygold
Music by Caleb Moore Freundlich
Sound Designer// Rachel Ruggles
Re-recording Mixer// Romain Sturma
Location Sound// Alex Jennings & Elijah Sutton
Set Photographer// Jacob Lowy
Posters by Isabel Chen & Ryan Falcoa
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