: Mary Cate Williams as Jo, Eliza Duca as Selma, and Jim Constable as Bill Production Company : Exertion Films
: The film gained attention on the indie circuit for its fresh, captivating take on life on the run through the eyes of a child. Her Name Was Jo | Film Threat Her Name Was Jo
: While the film starts in a "fairly depressing place," reviewers have noted its transition into a more hopeful and transformational journey. Production Details Director/Writer : Joe Duca : Mary Cate Williams as Jo, Eliza Duca
The narrative begins in the Shenandoah Valley, where Jo lives in a trailer with her abusive, drug-addicted stepfather, Bill. Her life is one of survival—fishing and scrapping for metal alongside her imaginary best friend, Selma (Eliza Duca). Her life is one of survival—fishing and scrapping
When Bill dies of an overdose, Jo sees an opportunity to escape. She and Selma dump his body, steal his car, and embark on a cross-country trip in search of Jo’s biological father, , a legendary folk singer living in the "City of Angels". Key Themes & Style
is a 2021 independent coming-of-age drama written and directed by Joe Duca . The film follows a 10-year-old girl named Jo (Mary Cate Williams) on a gritty but hope-filled journey from rural Virginia to Los Angeles. Story Overview