Twenty Eight- Bekkah Moton's NYU Thesis Film

“It’s exhausting, being the only one forced to remember.”

Logline: After death of her aunt, Beck must confront her grief after it leaves her with a gaping hole in her chest.

It's been a year since Beck's aunt, Simi, died but for her it feels like only yesterday. We watch her attempt to avoid her emotions and overbearing family and friends through reclusion. However, when she ignores Grief for the umpteenth time they leave her with a gaping hole in her chest.

"Twenty Eight" is an experimental drama about legacy, love and acceptance. It deals with the complexities of mother-daughter relationships as well as the overbearing presence grief can have in one's life. We watch as Beck runs from the personification of Grief, causing her to also push away those around her as well. Only now she has a physical reminder of her grief.

About the Director:

BEKKAH MOTON is an NYU senior at Tisch concentrating in screenwriting and creative directing. She’s helped on various NYU productions, whether it was behind or in front of the camera. They’re an unserious person tackling serious themes like grief, love, and identity often using humor to soften the blow. Her post-grad dreams are to do a little bit of everything in media: concept artist for K-POP music videos, TV showrunner for HBO, maybe even a reboot for 10 Things I Hate About You.

"She poured herself into you."

Director's Statement:

"Growing up my aunt told me that President Obama gave her certification to stay the age 28 forever and I believed her! Granted I was like 8 at the time but it didn’t help when she showed a letter with his signature (that was actually for my great-grandmother commemorating her 100th birthday). Aunt Nina physically didn’t stay 28 but spiritually she was. Her passing was the first time I was confronted with grief at such a key stage in my life. I knew that if I didn’t make this film I might not ever be able to get through it."

"There is no dummy’s guide to grieving and I know that in the years following I won’t ever be the same person, but with twenty eight I wanted to show that grieving isn’t linear and that none of us are truly going through this alone."

"At the end of the day grief is just love and love is all we have, even when it hurts."

Fundraising Goals:

$5,000 will allow us to reach our overall production goals. Being that this is a 3 day shoot, funds will be used for transportation of cast and crew, equipment rentals, meals and craft services, production design and wardrobe.

Any financial contribution would be greatly appreciated. It would mean the world to us if you would support this film by following us on Instagram @twentyeightshort and sharing this with your friends, family and colleagues!

We hope that you resonate with this story in some way. Join us in the journey of love, life, and being forever twenty eight.