Descent – Short Film

When Demetria’s consciousness splits into two realities, the waking world and the void, the only way to reconnect to her body is to confront her haunting past. 

Plot

Demetria a loving grandmother is celebrating her birthday when she faints on the dance floor. It is at this moment her consciousness splits apart into two realities, the waking world, and the void. While Demetria’s consciousness is stuck in the void, her memories are shown to her through a series of projections. It is forcing her to confront her past relationship with her deceased mother and reassess her current relationship with her daughter.

These projections not only show the past but also shows her the most mundane moments of her current life, including domestic duties like cooking and cleaning for her husband Adonis.

Demetria’s experience of powerlessly watching her life from within the void becomes insufferable. Over dinner with her husband, Demetria grows furious that she cannot be heard or seen, she’s tired of being invisible. As she finds her courage to speak up, the void shifts, flashing her whole life before her eyes, the darkness turns to light as she returns to the waking world in a cathartic outpour. She frees herself, and her pent-up emotions but most importantly speaks her truth. This moment of transcendence allows her to finally feel seen by her husband. In support of her, he encourages her to do what will make her happy. The final moment shows Demetria smiling, sitting alone by an olive tree.

Characters

Demetria – Lead

Age: 65-70s
Ethnicity: Greek
Demetria migrated to Australia from a small village in Greece with her husband Adonis in 1970 in the hopes of achieving the Australian dream. Despite all her success, she still feels disconnected from her roots, empty and isolated. Demetria’s mother never forgave her for leaving their village. Till this day Demetria carries this guilt with her, so the recent death of her mother has exacerbated this, resulting in a dark depression.

Demetria shortly after the death of her mother retired from work, where she was running her restaurant. She still owns it but it run by her son Andrew.

Tia – Supporting

Age: 28-35
Ethnicity: Greek
Tia is the daughter of Demetria and Adonis.
Tia is a mother, raising her son Michael (7) and her daughter Eleni (8 months) with her husband Caleb. Her relationship with her family has never been perfect but it’s been relatively good. She has tried to live up to her parents’ expectations, particularly her mother’s expectations. Her mother disapproves of her husband as he is not Greek, but still is tolerant towards him. Ever since her Yiayia (grandmother) died, her relationship with her mother worsened. Demetria became cold and distant. Now that Tia is moving interstate with her family, Demetria has not been acting the same. Before having her daughter Tia was a teacher at a primary school teaching art.

Adonis – Supporting

Age: 65-70s
Ethnicity: Greek
Adonis is married to Demetria, they moved together from Greece to Australia in the 1970s. He fell in love with her when he met her at gathering from a neighbouring village. Demetria’s mother Evangelia, did not like him and considered him an outsider to their village. She was even more disappointed he was taking her to Australia.
Adonis works at a bank managing the accounts of wealthy people. He has worked at the same job for 20 years, he stays because he loves the people. He loves his family and generally is happy with the simple things in life like whiskey and food. He is generally jovial person but worries deeply about Demetria’s happiness.

Andrew – Minor

Age: 30-35
Ethnicity: Greek
Andrew is the son of Demetria and Adonis. He works for his mother’s restaurant and has been running the business for her since she retired. He has been doing this for a year, and feeling unsure and unsupported by her. He loves her very much but feels invisible at times and does so much for her attention. He is worried about messing things up and he misses how she used to be before his Yiayia died (grandmother).

Helena – Minor

Age: 65-70s
Ethnicity: Greek
Helena is Demetria’s best friend. She helped Demetria and her family settle here when they first migrated to Melbourne. Helena lost her baby daughter which resulted to her marriage breakdown. She has been alone ever since but despite her hardships she has found meaning in her life through her community and friendships.