Developed over the course of two years by a team of female-identifying artists, Save The Date is an exploration of resilience in the face of sexual violence. We are so excited to invite you into the world that we have crafted, and to share this important story about trauma, healing, and liberation.

cw: sexual violence 

Save The Date began with a meditation on one of life's cruelest truthes: it is the abused, and not the abusers, who suffer the weight and reprecussions of a traumatic event. From here, Maggie began to imagine trauma as a physical space-- how do you get trapped there? What, if anything, will set you free? 

Thus, Eve and Isaac were born. Two characters with a tragically different memory of the same night. Isaac sees himself as a nice guy who never gets the girl, blissfully unaware of the violence he inflicted upon Eve. Meanwhile, Eve has been trapped inside of a world built of pain, guilt, and fear. 

But she's suffered long enough. It's Isaac's turn. 

Since the night she met Isaac, Eve has been living in a nightmare. Trapped in a prison formed in the wake of Isaac's actions, Eve has spent the last year processing her trauma. With the help of several mysterious allies, Eve is finally ready to face Isaac, and concocts an elaborate revenge plot in the form of a fake wedding.

Isaac is completely oblivious to that fact that he hurt Eve. He remembers their date with fond sadness-- perplexed by her sudden disappearance. When he receives an invitation to her wedding, he is surprised and a little bit excited-- so he has been on her mind, too! Viewing himself as the good guy who never gets the girl, Isaac accepts the invitation-- hoping to make a grand romantic gesture and win Eve back. 

In order for the above dissonance to resonate, Eve and Isaac must be filmed as if they were in entirely separate films. 

Eve is in a horror movie, and the camera will treat her as such. We plan to film her in many wide, locked down shots that slowly creep towards her, finding frames within frames that visually trap her. 

Isaac, on the other hand, is in a romance film. Our camera will sweep dreamily around him, motivated by his every move, and thus treating him like the leading man he believes himself to be.

Once the truth is revealed, these visual styles will swap-- Eve will gain her power, and the camera will reflect that. Conversly, Isaac will find himself trapped in a horror film. 

Our primal instinct to survive is a common thread amongst the human race. Whether through mental strife or physical trauma, the journey to continue forward is something we all share and brings us together. It’s what attracted me to this story two years ago, and keeps me going today. This thriller focuses on our protagonist Eve, and her journey to not only fight for her present, but to finally be ready to embark into her future. 

Maggie is a very talented filmmaker, whose writing pushes you to test your instincts, imagination, and make you ask the tough questions. I’m both excited and proud to be working with her and accompanying her on this journey.

In accordance with Columbia University's Phase 2 Production Protocols, all cast and crew will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours in advance, before granted access to set. Crew members will be masked at all times, regardless of their COVID vaccination status. Actors who will appear on camera unmasked will be administered antigen tests at regular intervals over the course of principle photography. 

Additionally, we will have a designated Covid Compliance Officer (CCO) on set at all times to take temperatures, administer antigen tests, provide sufficient PPE supplies, and enforce the above protocols. 

Films like ours only get made with the support of a strong community. Here are a few ways you can help us to the finish line!

 

Donate.

This is, of course, the big ask. We understand that finances are tight in the wake of COVID-19, and we do not expect anyone to reach beyond their means. Every dollar helps! 

 

Share.

The more we can expand our network, the better. Take a minute to share this page on social media or over email with friends and loved ones! For your convenience, here is an easy blurb to copy and paste:

"Save the Date" is a short film about a woman who fights to regain her power in the wake of an unspeakable act of violence. Equal parts thriller and drama, this film has been developed by Maggie Talbot-Minkin and her collaborators at Columbia University over the past two years.

To learn more about this female-made film, visit: www.seedandspark.com/fund/save-the-date

 

Follow us.

Find us on Instagram at @SaveTheDate_film.