Refraction: A short film

• Main Authors: Gomez, Marco Alfonso D., Ines, Eternity, Policarpio, Isabella Lourdes O.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2018
• Subjects: Short films > Philippines; Short films > Production and direction > Philippines; Fathers and sons in motion pictures; Psychic trauma in motion pictures; Communication
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/8857
• Institution: De La Salle University

Refraction is a 15-minute short film that tackles how childhood trauma follows into one's adulthood. Red is the main protagonist in our short film. Throughout his childhood, Red's father is the epitome of traditional masculinity, something of which he wishes to pass on to his only son. This becomes a problem when Red rejects this with his feminine nature and blooming interest for contemporary dance, a sport traditionally associated with femininity and grace. Despite this, his father forces unto Red this notion of masculinity and machismo through emotional and physical abuse. Even after his father's death, the abuse inflicted on Red has left him traumatized for a good portion of his teenage and adult years. The trauma that was brought upon by his father manifests through Red's other self, represented in the film by his mocking and often malicious reflection. This is a visual depiction or personification of what it is like to live with trauma. In Refraction, Red experiences the long term effects of his childhood trauma. The effects of his past worsen as he continues to repress his thoughts, emotions, and memories. However, Red tries to heal through dance-- a symbolism of his femininity, something of which his father never accepted about him. Through Red's story, the film tackles important issues such as childhood trauma, toxic masculinity, and denial of one's true self. These are relatively sensitive topics that are never easy to talk about, but Refraction wants to ignite a conversation and to assure victims that they are never alone and, ultimately, Refraction aims to give these people hope.