Magma (2023)
Directed by Luca Meisters, Written by Nena van Driel
Overwhelmed by her father’s sudden disability, Esra becomes entangled in a web of lies. Only once the emotions smouldering inside the nine-year-old finally rush to the surface, can she begin coming to terms with her new reality.
Short film | 00:15:15 | Short Film | Themes: Children, Coming of Age | Colour | 4:3 | the Netherlands | Spoken language: Dutch | Subtitles: English, | Format: DCP, ProRes | Dolby 5.1 & Stereo LtRt
Directors statement:
I have always been fascinated by the influence our childhood has on us and how it not only shapes us, but also the mechanism s in our subsequent lives. Like Esra, both screenwriter Nena van Driel and I, had to learn as children to deal with roles that changed in our family, responsibilities that were forced upon us and the fear that accompanies that sometimes.
As a child it is sometimes difficult to put confusing emotions into words and they start brewing inside. And so, just like Esra, I also started telling lies one day. Without a plan, without premeditation. Eventually the lies started to drag me down and just like Esra has to face her lies in the film, I had to do the same. The subconscious world of a child where fears and desires meet and intertwine, is beautiful to explore and depict — in my eyes.
~ Luca Meisters
About Luca Meisters:
Luca Meisters (1996, Maastricht) graduated as a director from the Maastricht Institute of Performative Arts in 2019. She likes to tell intimate, spherical stories about rich and complex inner worlds and family dynamics. Her graduation film WHEN BIRDS FLY LOW (2019) had its international premiere at the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen 2020 and got selected for Palm Springs Short Fest and Cinekid. Her short film NOVA (2021) had its premiere at BUFF Malmö and got nominated for Best Short Film.
FESTIVAL SELECTIONS:
- Berlinale Generation 2023, k-plus short film competition, Berlin, Germany.