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Marta Jimenez, a young impoverished maid working in an affluent household, is left alone with her male employer when his family departs for a weekend holiday. This tranquil weekend takes a dramatic turn when Marta’s employer attempts to rape her, forcing Marta to defend herself and killing him in the process. As panic sets in, she scrambles to cover her tracks—seeking help from men in her community, only to learn that their aid comes with its own demands and dangers.

Marta’s experience is not just about one moment of violence—it’s about the way society repeatedly fails women like her after the fact. This film challenges viewers to examine who holds power, whose voices are dismissed, and what survival really costs. It's a story about resilience, but more than that, it's a critique of the structures that force women to be resilient in the first place.

Our visual approach centers on precise blocking, bold lighting choices, and intentional camera movement. The camera observes without interference—it sees everything, even when Marta cannot. This perspective heightens dramatic irony while grounding us firmly in her emotional reality, asking the audience not just to witness her struggle, but to feel its weight.

We pull inspiration from Javier Julia’s work in ‘Relatos Salvajes (2014)’ and Jose Luis Alcaine’s collaborations with Pedro Almodóvar, embracing expressive lighting, controlled movement, and a visual language that balances tension with intimacy.

Still from The Milk of Sorrow (2009).

Marta Jimenez. Female, 19 years old. Kind. Reserved. Useful. Enlisted to the Blanco family at just 15 years of age but raised in the poor ‘barrio’ of Santa Marta, she stays and works at the family residence 6 of the 7 days of the week. With a fire waiting to be unleashed, she’ll quickly realize that she must fend for herself if she ever wants to survive.

Juan Blanco. Male, 52 years old. Egotistical and Improper. Patriarch of the Blanco family fortune, heavily influential in Santa Marta. A workaholic who savours power more than familial bond. He imposes his influence on everyone around him.

Fernando Montes. Male, 60 years old. Rugged and Loyal—for a fee. Longtime gardener for the Blanco family, he is faithful to them and has never caused an issue or been late to work. Behind his work facade, ‘Montes’ is resentful of the little opportunity he has been granted in life, and will jump at any opportunity to let his true ambitions prevail.

Diego Villegas. Male, 21 years old. Street smart yet Honest. Longtime friend of Marta’s who grew up in her ‘barrio’—he’s secretly been in love with her for years. A hard worker but always looking for a quick buck, as he ages he grows angsty with the low social class he was dealt at birth.

Isabella Stargardter is a Colombian-British Writer, Director, and Producer currently based in New York City. Isabella worked in theater for many years across a variety of venues and responsibilities, with credits including the immersive theater company ‘Punchdrunk’ on their recent show “The Burnt City” with Nicholas Hytner at The Bridge Theatre. Some awards and honors include the 2025 Katharina Otto-Bernstein Grant, La Fémis Student Exchange Program, and the Michael Hausman/Buffalo Mike Hausman Foundation Award.

Martín Granada Lopez is a Colombian-American Creative Producer based in New York City. A graduate of Syracuse University's BFA for Film & TV Production, and currently a Creative Producing candidate at Columbia University’s MFA, some awards and honors include the 2025 Katharina Otto-Bernstein Grant, the Arthur Krim Award for Producing Excellence, and the Tarkowski Grant for Student Producers. Other experiences include volunteerships with the Producers Guild of America, and internships at companies such as ‘Gunpowder & Sky (NYC)’, ‘Escape Artists LA’, and '3Pas Studios.'  

Ravenia Producciones S.A.S is a Colombian audiovisual company founded by Camila Hernández and Miguel Á. Movilla, dedicated to the development of film intellectual property, strategic investment management through tax incentives, and the production of content with territorial identity and international projection. Since its founding in early 2025, it has participated in the Entrepreneurship Lab at Universidad del Norte, Experts Meeting Caribe 2025 by Endeavor, and in projects such as the line production of Ilusión del Caribe for students of Columbia University’s Master’s in Film program.

Still from Volver (2006).

We are seeking $10,000 to complete our production budget and tell this story with the precision and care it deserves. Every contribution moves us closer to bringing Santa Marta to life at the standard this subject matter demands.

A major priority is ensuring authenticity and safety on set. We plan to hire Colombian actors and crew, and we will have an intimacy coordinator present at all times. This role is essential, not a luxury, given the sensitive themes we explore. With your support, we can hire someone with the proper training and experience to protect our performers, our team, and the integrity of the story.

This film also leans heavily on practical effects—from fake blood to prosthetics, including a head cast and limb pieces. To achieve a grounded but darkly absurd visual tone in key moments, we are working with Colombian special effects artists to build believable, tailored prosthetics. Your donation helps ensure these elements feel specific and cinematic, not improvised.

And of course, we intend to care for our cast and crew. That means healthy meals, comfortable housing, and the basic dignity of a professional set, even within a student-film budget. Your contribution directly supports the people making this film possible, not excess or waste.

This is not a full accounting of our needs, but a snapshot of the key areas where your support will make the most immediate and meaningful impact.

Still from Relatos Salvajes (2014).

Here are three ways you can help support our film:

PLEDGE a donation, no matter how big or small, to help us bring this film to life!

SHARE our campaign page with 3 friends who you think might be interested in learning more.

Click the FOLLOW button at the top of our crowdfunding page.

Thank you for taking the time to read about our project. We're eternally grateful for your time, attention, and interest.

From,

The Santa Marta Team