Synopsis

Set in a claustrophobic yet isolating bedroom, Will, a caretaker, arrives to look after Alan, his patient struggling with an intense case of Alzheimer's. Medicine bottles spill onto the floor, papers dirtied with dissonant sentences line the nightstand, and old JELLO wobbles on a side tray with every creak of the hardwood floors. As Will lies in bed, he fiddles with his hands, revealing a small tattoo reading "Beatrice" supported by angel wings. The image lies delicately on Alan's wrist, a constant reminder of a stranger he once knew.

As Will carefully folds Alan's freshly pressed laundry, he sees himself in the vanity. Or what little is left. His eyes sink into his skull, clasped by rings of wrinkles and creviced by dark circles. He is slowly fading, dissipating into a shadow of himself, similarly to his patient.

Will wants Alan to remember. Alan wants to forget his trouble.

As the two push and pull away from each other, Will is left hopeless and struck by the brutality of his father's language and temper. He leaves the room in despair, not out of rage for his patient, but overwhelmed by the fact that he will never save him. As he reaches for the doorknob, a small tattoo is revealed on his wrist, reading "Mama," supported by two angel wings, a beckoning memento that reminds Will that his family is now forever forgotten.

Will (Adam Fontana)

Will grew up in a small town alongside his parents and two younger sisters, Stella and Erin. As the eldest, he wore responsibility like a second skin, finding purpose in caring for those he loved. No one shaped him more than his father, whose strength and steadiness became the compass by which Will measured himself. Though he excelled as a student-athlete and was surrounded by friends, there was always a quiet part of him that felt unseen. College carried him across the country and into a life of his own. For the first time, he tasted freedom—not as someone's son or brother, but as himself. Yet when his mother fell ill, that newfound independence came at a cost. He chose to stay, building a future far from home while guilt settled into him like a stone. After her death, that guilt deepened, widening the distance between him and his sisters. In time, Will returned home, drawn back by grief, family, and the feeling that some roots can never truly be severed. He rebuilt what had been broken, married Dahlia, raised two children, and carved out a successful career. But when his father began to lose himself to Alzheimer’s, Will once again stepped into the role he knew best: caretaker. Now, he stands at the center of a life pulling him in every direction—a devoted husband, father, provider, and son. As he watches the man he once idolized fade piece by piece, he carries the burden quietly, absorbing frustrations, sacrifices, and heartache with little complaint. Love and duty have always guided him, but the weight of both grows heavier with each passing day.

Alan (John Squires)

Alan grew up as the youngest of five children, often feeling overlooked and misunderstood. Quietly observant and deeply introspective, he found solace in drawing and tattoo art, using creativity to express the parts of himself others rarely saw beneath his tough exterior. Everything changed when he met Beatrice. She saw beyond his defenses and understood him in a way no one else ever had. Together they built a life filled with love, raising three children—Will, Stella, and Erin—and creating a home that became Alan’s entire world. When Beatrice died after a battle with cancer, Alan lost a piece of himself that he never recovered. Years later, Alzheimer’s began to steal his memories, slowly unraveling the life he had built. Now living under Will’s care, Alan drifts between confusion and moments of painful clarity, grieving not only the woman he loved, but also the man he is slowly forgetting how to be.

Comps for the Film:

• The Bear - Very rooted in family relationships. The coloring of the footage fits the tone of the mood, especially the blue ombre when Bear is locked in the fridge in Season 3.
• Manchester By The Sea - Again, this film is all about complex family dynamics, especially when one has passed away. The pacing of the dialogue and emotional vulnerability is what makes this film stand out, and we plan to do the same.
• Hamnet - The acting style is very raw and un-performative. The cinematography allows the audience to view the entire body language of each character with masterful wide shots.

Stills from Forgotten Words:

• We shot our short in July, and with the help of our incredible team, we were able to bring our desired aesthetic to life, creating a tone that makes the narrative as impactful as possible.

OUR GOAL:

We plan to submit Forgotten Words to a variety of film festivals with a focus on screening in New York City and California, since our team is bicoastal. To make our film ready for the competitive circuit, we need to ensure we have adequate funding so this story can reach its fullest fruition.

Your support will...

• Boost our chances at competing with high-quality films in the professional festival circuit.
• Open doors for future projects created by a new generation of students who are passionate about telling vulnerable, captivating, and truthful stories.

HOW TO HELP:

1. PLEDGE!!! As they say, EVERY PENNY COUNTS (even though those don't exist anymore)! Your support will make a long-lasting impact on our film's success, and we will make sure that your donation is recognized!
2. FOLLOW US and stay up-to-date on the project's progress by following us here on Seed&Spark and on Instagram: @forgottenwords_shortfilm
3. SHARE our Seed&Spark with your family. Friends. Therapist. Anyone who you think will connect to our story and is a superfan of the art of filmmaking! Like, comment, and repost our Instagram updates. The more people know about Forgotten Words, the closer we will get to reaching our goal!

"The relationship between father and son is something incredibly vulnerable and sacred. I had the opportunity to see that closely unfold through two generations. My grandfather lived with my family for almost half of my life while he battled his sickness with Alzheimer's. My father not only took care of me, my siblings, and my mother, but he also continued to take care of my grandfather, his father. Taking care of a sick parent while also having to go to work and take care of your family would be stressful on any human being. I wanted to make this film to allow other people to understand the struggle that some go through and how choosing family first can seem right and wrong at the same time. The film will be shot in one location, starting with more slow and lethargic movements, and as the conversation between Alan and Will escalates, so does the speed and shakiness of the camera movements. A lot of the colors will be deep blues and browns with off-putting whites. After watching this film, one should gain a better understanding of how Alzheimer’s can hurt the people that you care about the most while it often goes unnoticed."

- Grace Brunetti (Director)