Life Search - Short Film

So many of us suffer today from depression and anxiety to the point that puts us in a place of feeling completely hopeless and lost. We lose that desire to be here anymore, the need to live. It’s a terrifying ordeal not just for our family, friends and acquaintances, it is a scary way of living day-to-day. 

Film Synopsis: 

A man’s life has in many ways fallen apart, divorce, lost his job, his ex-wife and daughter are moving across the country, and he is struggling to find hope in each day. He reflects back to some of the important moments in his life and gets lost within his own mind. He grapples with the side of him that wants to leave it all behind, ends his life, and hopefully find some sort of bliss in death, and the side of him that wants to find the courage to get through even just one more day. 

I see this as a visually disruptive piece of filmmaking. I want to illustrate how the places in our mind can feel so real and how the traumas of our past haunt us into adulthood, while also showing the duality we often have and the conflict within ourselves as we argue two sides simultaneously. 

Beautiful, is how I see it.

Real, is the struggle he goes through. 

Hope and Understanding, are what I want to inspire. 

This film explores those thoughts, rationalizations, and internal monologues that a person like myself might go through when they have spiraled out of control in their mind or life. It’s a lonely place that I know well from experience and I am choosing to not let get the best of me. 

Reason for making the film:

This is a very personal project. An effort to continue to climb out of this hole and remind others in my position that they are not alone. That their thoughts are valid. That their struggle is legitimate and real. There is no shame in it and hopefully, there is hope and understanding waiting out there somewhere. 

I have struggled with depression for nearly my entire life. I didn’t even realize that until just a few years ago when the thought of wishing my life would end became a daily occurrence. Therapy, treatment, meditation, journaling, creativity, self-reflection and awareness have all become tools to help me live differently, and it is slowly working. 

I plan to make this film and another to help me through some grief in an effort to continue my wellness journey. To be honest, it just feels like the right thing to do. Even if the films reach just one person and help them feel less alone in this world than I know this will be worth the time, money and effort. We never know when our time is up or our purpose is to be realized, but sitting and waiting for it does none of us any good. I want to make whatever impact I can. Please, help me do so. 

I can’t believe I am alone in this.

Funds raised will cover:

Production Costs - Equipment Rentals, Location Fees, Crew, Props, Wardrobe, Travel, and Food

Post Production Costs - Editing, Sound Mixing, Color Correction, and Visual Effects

Film Festival submission fees 

Any additional funds will just make the process faster and easier

Film Completion: 

Film Festivals for 6-12 months

Private Screenings and Links for relevant outlets

Eventually, I will have the film online for anyone to see and use. 

When this project is sold for distribution a portion of those funds will be donated back to a mental health organization. 

For references to my work you can visit my website: www.bentedesco.com