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BARA

By Robyn GRACE

Female director - Development 2024

After her mother is unexpectedly rushed to hospital, a mute recluse is forced to embark on a perilous journey to unlock her voice and reunite her family.

- Year of production
- 2024
- Genres
- Female director, Drama, First film
- Countries
- NEW ZEALAND
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Budget
- 3 - 5 M$
- Duration
- 103 mn
- Director(s)
- Robyn GRACE
- Writer(s)
- Anna Nuria FRANCINO
- Producer(s)
- Tui RUWHIU (Tauihu Media Limited), Angela LITTLEJOHN (ANGELA LITTLEJOHN FILMS)
- Synopsis
- Bara (20s) is a mute recluse whose life is sideswiped when her withdrawn mother, Freya,is rushed to hospital. Anxious to return to Freya’s orbit, Bara braves the terrifying world outside. Following a fraught journey, Bara seeks refuge in the hospital’s cafeteria. Here, she eventually befriends an ensemble of players who will form the base of her first real-life community. Bara finds her mother comatose but perceives that she could wake Freya, if only she could speak. Bara finds evidence that this could be possible and her quest for voice begins. Despite courageous efforts, Bara remains mute. Freya, however, does wake. Groggy and confused, she lashes out at Bara who shocks herself by responding with an out-loud hiss. Reeling, Bara learns that a teenage Freya gave birth to her only hours after she discovered her own mother murdered. Despite this new window into Freya’s private hardship, Bara is reluctant to face her again. Instead, she attends a quiz night with her newfound friends. It ends in triumph when Bara voices her first word. Boosted, Bara tries to speak to Freya but instead crumbles, leaving their relationship more fractured than ever. Bara finds the strength to return to Freya’s ward after hours, only to find her mother mid-seizure. Freya wakes to find Bara at her bedside. Bara cuts through residual tension and honours Freya’s sudden loss of her own mother. Freya weeps at this and to hear her daughter speak. The women share watery smiles and the simplest of greetings – hello.
- Partners & financing
- tbc
- Beginning of shooting
- Apr 01, 2024
- End of shooting
- May 03, 2024