SYNOPSIS
Above the Desert with No Name is a short film that begins with the real-world issue of women
fleeing into the United States to escape domestic violence in their own country. The story is seen
through the eyes of twelve-year old, Silvia, who has already witnessed how sexual violence can
shape the world around her. She is joined by her eight-year-old brother, Hector, and her young
mother, Maria. After illegally crossing the border the trio end up at a cousins apartment for
safety and hopefully a new start. But soon old patterns begin to emerge around them. Silvia
finds solace sitting alone on the balcony of their apartment building. One day Silvia secretly
spies on a neighbor doing strange, poetic movements synchronized with breath-work. Silvia has
an incandescent experience watching this Medicine Woman in what she and the audience learn
to be a spiritual yoga practice. After mimicking along with the Medicine Woman on several
occasions something awakens within Silvia that connects her beyond the limitations of her
reality and syncs her with the magic realism of the natural world. The awakening of her divine
femininity resonates on full display in the films dramatic climax. This story at its core is about
the intersection of trauma, yoga and mysticism and the profound effect on young girls who find
self-realization and have the ability to break familial patterns for their future. It is story of hope.
fleeing into the United States to escape domestic violence in their own country. The story is seen
through the eyes of twelve-year old, Silvia, who has already witnessed how sexual violence can
shape the world around her. She is joined by her eight-year-old brother, Hector, and her young
mother, Maria. After illegally crossing the border the trio end up at a cousins apartment for
safety and hopefully a new start. But soon old patterns begin to emerge around them. Silvia
finds solace sitting alone on the balcony of their apartment building. One day Silvia secretly
spies on a neighbor doing strange, poetic movements synchronized with breath-work. Silvia has
an incandescent experience watching this Medicine Woman in what she and the audience learn
to be a spiritual yoga practice. After mimicking along with the Medicine Woman on several
occasions something awakens within Silvia that connects her beyond the limitations of her
reality and syncs her with the magic realism of the natural world. The awakening of her divine
femininity resonates on full display in the films dramatic climax. This story at its core is about
the intersection of trauma, yoga and mysticism and the profound effect on young girls who find
self-realization and have the ability to break familial patterns for their future. It is story of hope.
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Director StatementFinding a good script that evokes emotion is like finding gold. After my first reading of Above the Desert With No Name, I felt deeply moved inside. I was stuck by its sense of inspiration and hope. The story is rooted in the brutal reality that so many illegally immigrated Latina women experience. From within this reality the story shows the experience of enlightenment through the eyes of a 12 year old girl. I knew immediately I had to direct this important story and share it with the world.
Above the Desert With No Name is primarily a movie about a truthseeker. About a child in no man's land who finds radiance - or does it find her? Young Silvia is thrust from a troubled past into a troubling future. At the center is a completely apolitical and disoriented antihero searching for love, stability, and self-empowerment. I want to work as much as possible in the recesses of the plot to observe the characters carefully. The life experiences of the people surrounding our protagonist has caused them to exist in survival mode. They are removed from their divine nature and their connection to their inherent animal spirit in the natural world. But Silvia is still pure and curious and is able to observe divinity and use it as a superpower to avoid repeating a life of misery. She is able to awaken the power of her femininity and break the pattern of abuse for her life going forward. The use of the camera will never be invasive; instead it will serve as a personal gaze, veiled with compassion. I will approach the violent dramatic scenes very tight to the characters but with modesty and with an authenticity devoid of narrative obstacles. The pain of the situation will not be the story unto itself. Instead,the experience for the audience will be the emotional journey of Silvia's awakening. From darkness to light. |
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