Independent Film Project
REBECCA’S STORY TRAILER from Morgan Riles on Vimeo.
An orphaned young reader imagines escape from her grandmother’s punitive custody, when a sudden visit from a neighbor reveals a better way out.
WITNESS PROJECT FILM WORKSHOP:
With absolutely no prior experience in filmmaking, the Witness Project youths wrote, directed, acted in, and shot the short film “Rebecca’s Story” under the teaching guidance of industry filmmakers Morgan Riles and Ginger Theisen. The film is a nuanced testament to the lives of these youths, and their commitment to raise awareness about endemic cultural violence against women and children in Georgetown, Guyana. The Witness Project is a community youth initiative founded by Margaret Clemons Foundation in 2011, with a mission to use the arts to change the culture of domestic violence in Guyana, South America.
REBECCA’S STORY SYNOPSIS:
On a beautiful day in the Caribbean city of Georgetown, Guyana, a young couple drop off their daughter Rebecca and her little brother Aaron with their Grandmother before traveling on business. With parting hugs and words of love, Rebecca retrieves her favorite book, not realizing that it would be the last time she would see her parents alive.
Weeks later, their days are marred by their distressed Grandmother’s harsh words and rough hands. Rebecca yearns for an escape, and finds hope in the intervention of Lindsey, a young witness to Rebecca’s plight who offers respite through an after school program.
Plagued by her own demons, her Grandmother dismisses his help. Undaunted, Rebecca soon discovers that her Granny’s violent harshness and sharp tongue hide a troubling disability and desolate past. In a small but powerful gesture, Rebecca reaches out with an offer of her own, opening the door to better days for her new family.