Under Darkness | Drama Short Film
When a soldier dies in her car, carrying a photograph, she remembers her recent past, where she pursued her passion for photography, which was also the family business. But her talent was hijacked by the Nazis that took away her family — and in order to keep them alive, she has do what she is ordered.
But when she uncovers visual evidence of what happened to her family — and others who share her Jewish faith — she realizes that she cannot work for the Nazis anymore and escapes. Though she would like to forget what happened, she realizes the power of what she has and the talent she possesses and uses it to document the story of her people and their struggle.
Written and directed by Caroline Friend, this powerful historical short drama is a richly compelling narrative is told with a sweeping sense of craft and storytelling. Based on the true story of Faye Schulman, who was the only photographer to document the Jews’ struggle in Eastern Europe during World War II, it transports viewers back into a chapter of history whose lessons remain sadly relevant, even today.
Rich with shadows and color, the film is undeniably handsome in look and feel, as fitting its artistic main character. But instead of looking nostalgic, its beauty never detracts away from the difficult subject matter, and its visual dynamism, particularly in the camera movement and editing, give it resolutely modern pacing and sense of constant discovery and suspense, driven by Faye’s discovery of the full extent of Nazi persecution.
The storytelling is more complex than typical for a short, spanning multiple time periods and locations, and in many ways, it feels as if a feature-length story has been folded into the short timeframe. But the throughlines and relationships are established with clarity, and the characters are brought to life by a series of fine performances, particularly by lead actor Kally Khourshid in the role of Faye, who must balance the poles of love, loyalty and devastation. Her photography was abused by the Nazis as a weapon in their wartime apparatus, and it also is a potently emotional and painful reminder of her family. But she also remembers just how powerful photographs can be, and re-embraces that part of herself in service of a bigger cause.
When finally revealed, the full scope of the story’s events has a powerful resonance, not just because it is grounded in historical reality, but in its themes of memory, documentation and keeping alive the lessons of past generations. We would like to think that the atrocities of the past will remain in the dustbins of history, but sadly the enmities that Hitler and the Nazis exploited to rise to power still exist today. Faye Schulman’s story and its powerful telling in “Under Darkness” reminds us not to forget the Holocaust. But it also reminds us that people found hope and meaning in the struggle and resistance against oppression, hate and evil — something that remains true for many today.
Based on a true story in World War II Poland, a young Jewish woman struggles to survive after her family is murdered. Refusing to give up, she joins the Soviet resistance, and realizes that through photography she can remember the past while documenting for the future.
World Premiere: Telluride Film Festival // Student Academy Award Finalist // Sundance Film Festival Horizon Award Winner // DGA Student Film Jury Award // Student Emmy Nominee
Written & Directed by Caroline Friend
FALL 2020 SCREENINGS
HollyShorts Film Festival – Academy Award Qualifying
Short Shorts Film Festival – Academy Awards Qualifying
SoHo International Film Festival – NYC
Kingston Upon Thames Film Festival – UK
Women’s Film Festival San Diego – San Diego
Catalina Film Festival – Catalina, California
Deep in the Heart Film Festival – Waco, TX
Joyce Forum Jewish Short Film Festival – San Diego, California
Newport Beach Film Festival – Newport Beach
American Pavilion Emerging Filmmakers Showcase – Cannes
Pasadena International Film Festival – Pasadena
Still Voices Short Film Festival – Ireland
AWARDS
Student Academy Awards® – Finalist
Sundance Film Festival – Horizon Award Winner
Director’s Guild of America – Jury Award Winner Student Film
Television Academy (Emmys) – College Awards – Best Drama Nominee
Film Pittsburgh Presents: The Robinson International Short Film Competition – Award Winner
PAST FESTIVALS
Telluride Film Festival – Official Selection
National Film Festival For Talented Youth (NFFTY) – Official Selection
International Student Film and Video Festival of Beijing Film Academy (ISFVF)- Jury Award
Toronto Shorts International Film Festival – Official Selection
Nashville Jewish Film Festival – Best Student Film
Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival – Official Selection
Love Your Shorts Film Festival – Official Selection
Pendance Film Festival – Official Selection
Created at USC School of Cinematic Arts with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Production Grant and the assistance of the Panavision New Filmmakers Program.
PRESS & NEWS:
DEADLINE – Horizon Award
DEADLINE – DGA Award
VARIETY
WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD
DAILY TROJAN
MERRY GO ROUND
Originally published on:
omeleto.com/254685
carolinefriend.com/under-darkness