SYNOPSIS:
Violet, a young woman in her late-twenties, is preparing for a first date with James, a kind-hearted man she recently met. As she gets ready, the last words of her lost love, Peter, triggers heartache and pain. As grief washes over her, she begins to doubt if she's ready to move on.
As Violet struggles with her emotions, the film subtly shifts from a light-hearted romantic comedy tone to a more eerie and unsettling atmosphere. Shadows seem to linger longer, and the once familiar surroundings feel unfamiliar and menacing.
"Still Here" is a poignant exploration of grief, love, and the resilience of the human spirit, blending elements of romance and horror to create a unique and emotionally resonant story.
A story of grief:
INTENT
To portray the realistic human experience of grief. That it isn’t about moving on but instead learning to live with grief.
To portray the realistic human experience of grief. That it isn’t about moving on but instead learning to live with grief.
WHY THIS STORY?
Grief is a deeply personal and complex experience that can affect every aspect of a person's life. It's a process that doesn't have a clear endpoint, and for many, the idea of "moving on" from grief can feel dismissive or unrealistic. Instead, many people talk about learning to live with grief, integrating it into their lives in a way that allows them to continue forward while honouring the memory of what they've lost.
Grief is a deeply personal and complex experience that can affect every aspect of a person's life. It's a process that doesn't have a clear endpoint, and for many, the idea of "moving on" from grief can feel dismissive or unrealistic. Instead, many people talk about learning to live with grief, integrating it into their lives in a way that allows them to continue forward while honouring the memory of what they've lost.
Grief can also change over time, and what feels unbearable in the immediate aftermath of a loss may become more manageable with time. However, this doesn't mean that the pain ever fully goes away. Instead, it may become a part of a person's identity, shaping their perspective on life and influencing how they navigate future challenges.
Ultimately, living with grief is about finding a way to hold onto what was lost while also finding a way to move forward with life. It's a process that looks different for everyone, and there's no right or wrong way to grieve. The most important thing is to find what works for you and to give yourself the time and space to honour your feelings and experiences.
ABOUT THE FILM MAKER:
Rebecca Fortuna is a professional Australian creative with credits in film/TV & Theatre and over 20 year experience. As an actor she has toured Australia for over 6 years, in multiple theatre productions including: Faulty Towers, Confetti & Chaos and Dirty Dancing (Frontier Touring). Her comic timing and character work has been commended with multiple 5-star reviews.
She has multiple film and television credits, including: TV series Rostered On (Netflix & 7Mate), international feature films Nova Star and No Such Thing as Monsters and most recently the web series, In Newcastle Tonight, in which she was a lead actor. The series has won multiple awards including Best Web Series/TV Pilot at London Independent Film Awards 2022.
Rebecca has been involved in many independent theatre productions, including: the role of May in Sam Shepard's Fool For Love with Q44 Theatre, which played to sold out audiences and also produced. Plus, the role of Michelle in Gordon Graham’s The Boys at Gasworks Arts Park and Anne in Gao Xingjian's Weekend Quartet for the VCA Masters of Directing season. She also toured Medea and Romeo & Juliet around Victoria for two years, playing the title roles.
Rebecca has many writing credits in film and theatre. She was one of the lead writers for web series In Newcastle Tonight. She made her debut as a playwright in 2013 with her play Domestic Warfare based on true events that was The Age’s theatre pick of the week for Melbourne Fringe Festival that year. Since then she has written multiple short films and plays. Still Here is her first professional film writing credit, with director Scott Major.
Rebecca has over 25 years of acting and vocal training. This includes a degree in theatre and drama from La Trobe University, acting training at renowned institutions such as: 16th Street, Howard Fine Studios and Stella Adler LA and with international teachers including Howard Fine and Elizabeth Kemp. She also trains vocally with Suzanne Heywood and singing coach Darren Wicks.
Rebecca has danced since the age of 8 and owns her own acting and performance school, Red Theatricals. She has been an acting coach for over 18 years. Rebecca has dedicated her life to acting and also creating opportunity for new and young performers to grow their skills in a safe, nurturing and uplifting environment.
Finally, Rebecca is also a professional Intimacy Coordinator, completing her certification with IDC in New York. She is dedicated to creating safe performance spaces and empowering the next generation of actors.
Find out more about Rebecca at: www.rebeccafortuna.com
Find out more about Rebecca at: www.rebeccafortuna.com
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land in which this project was filmed.
We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging, Always Was Always Will Be.
We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging, Always Was Always Will Be.
Filmed in Naarm / Melbourne, Australia.
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