Lean on Pete

15-year-old Charley arrives in Portland, Oregon, with his single father Ray, both eager for a fresh start after a series of hard knocks. While Ray descends into personal turmoil, Charley finds camaraderie at a local racetrack where he lands a job caring for an ageing quarter horse named Lean On Pete. The horse’s gruff owner Del and his seasoned jockey Bonnie help Charley fill the void of his father’s absence — until he discovers that Pete is bound for slaughter, prompting him to take extreme measures to spare his new friend’s life. Charley and Pete head out into the great unknown, embarking on an odyssey across the new American frontier in search of a loving aunt Charley hasn’t seen in years. Featuring an award-winning performance by Plummer, Lean on Pete is a compassionate and heartrending look at the desire for love, family and acceptance.

Flagey, Cinematek, Film Fest Gent