A pitch for a short film by Sepideh Rostabeik

Retrospective is a short drama film which deals with ideas concerning memory loss, self-identity and the fragility of life. The protagonist of the story is a teenage girl and the basis of her appeal lies in the concept that the greatest mystery in her life is herself. TITLE/FORM/GENRE/T HEME/IDEA OR ISSUE

Having lost her memories and unknown to her, her parents, in a fatal car accident, a young woman suffering from symptoms of retrograde amnesia begins solving a rubix cube which seems to have the answers to all of her questions. The story unfolds through the use of a 3x3 rubix cube. Each layer of the cube triggers a flashback to her past. Each memory occurs in chronological order as it explores who the young woman is and how she became amnesic. SUMMARY

There will be very little dialogue There will be use of diegetic sound, for e.g. the protagonist overhears conversations between her brother and sister that she can’t make sense of while working on the rubix cube The flashbacks will be very image/action focused and will rely heavily on sound. For example, a memory taking place in an outdoor setting would include the sound of chirping birds/waterfalls VISUAL/AURAL STYLE Let the Right One In, Tomas Alfredson, Sweden (2008) Audio link:

The film begins with the protagonist walking into a house behind a man and a woman who we later learn from photographs are her older brother and sister The flashbacks take place in the young woman’s bedroom -> the look of the room will suggest that she is a musically inclined She picks up an unsolved rubix cube sitting next to a family photo -> sits down on her bed and begins solving it She can hear her brother and sister talking about her outside her room but cannot make sense of their conversation VISUAL/AURAL STYLE Enter the Void, Gaspar Noé, France (2010) )

Each colour of the rubix represents a certain point of the girl’s story. White - This layer depicts a scene between the young girl and her father. He is sitting at his office desk and she is in a sleeping gown, she says “I’m not really sure what I want to be.”. He looks at her, opens his drawer, passes her a rubix cube and says “The possibilities are infinite.”. This scene conveys the sentiment behind the rubix cube. Green – This layer depicts the girl’s youth. She is playing the piano. Yellow – This scene depicts the young girl outdoors in a tranquil setting with her family. Blue - This layer depicts a scene of the girl drifting away from her family/university applications are scattered around. Red – This layer depicts the girl falling into the wrong crowd. It conveys her confusion at her lost sense of self. Orange - This scene depicts an argument between the girl and her parent’s over her irresponsible actions, she is sitting in the back seat of the car. VISUAL/AURAL STYLE The Machinist, Brad Anderson, Spain (2004)

VISUAL/AURAL STYLE “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Palo Alto, Gia Coppola, USA (2013)

Areas where collaborative input would greatly help! Sound -> soundtrack -> sound effects Aesthetic -> Colour palettes Visual symbolism -> The rubix cube itself is perhaps the story’s greatest symbol. However I think symbolism in the flashback scenes is vital in developing the story and allowing it to be more visual based as opposed to it being heavily reliant on dialogue. COLLABORATIVE INPUT

I care! And this is why you should too… Self-identity is a uniquely human concept We are human! I have always been fascinated by metaphysical concepts and issues concerning personal identity. Our memories and our sense of self go hand in hand. Without our memories we would ultimately be nothing. Memories give meaning to photographs, video tapes and inanimate objects and they can give a person reason to pursue or not pursue something. Without them we would be lost and without purpose. Thus I found it intriguing to explore ideas of self-identity through the loss of memory. While the storyline of Retrospective is unique to a particular kind of character, the theme is universal and can hit close to home for many. I believe it is an idea that will also raise philosophical questions for people to think about. WHO CARES?