Whispers of the Past
crowdfunding
Whispers of the Past
is a short film that explores the emotions of navigating suppressed childhood trauma and learning to accept and heal from it.
About the film
Whispers of the Past is a deeply personal and emotionally charged project that explores the intricate tapestry of human emotions, trauma, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Lamar is struggling after the untimely death of his friend, haunted by traumatic memories and guilt. The film navigates between the present and past, revealing the pain Lamar endured as a young boy and the subsequent impact on his adult life. Through powerful conversations and emotional breakthroughs, Lamar learns to embrace his vulnerability and accept that healing requires strength.
Whispers of the Past is not just a story of pain and suffering but also a story of hope and resilience. The journey of Lamar, portrayed by a talented cast, is a rollercoaster of emotions, and the audience will embark on this journey with him. We intend to use the art of filmmaking to shed light on the importance of seeking help, understanding one's past, and ultimately finding the strength to heal.
The project is currently in pre-production, and we aim to film in early August. This campaign will allow us to move forward with this project and share this film with you!
As independent filmmakers, it isn't easy to make a film without a budget. This campaign covers the bare minimum required for us to cover the costs of production, pay and feed our cast and crew, and cover post-production expenses. Additionally, a portion of the campaign funds will go towards our screening event and submitting the film to international film festivals.
We plan to finish the film by the end of the summer / early fall to submit to film festivals. We are an international team, based here in Helsinki.
Style
The film balances realism with moments of introspection, using cinematic techniques to distinguish between the past and present. We’ll use color to visually represent Lamar’s emotional journey, feeling the difference between memories and nightmares.
Director’s Statement:
The film is partially based on my own story. I was abused physically for several years by one of the people I loved most. Even though that moment has passed, the consequences of those actions have still impacted my life. Through self-awareness and therapy, I have become better and am healing. And that is why this story is so important to me.
This is a vital project that aims to promote empathy, understanding, and open conversations about men's mental health – a crucial issue often overlooked in mainstream media.
With a talented team and cast, I am excited to share "Whispers of the Past" with the world. Thank you for considering our project, and I look forward to the opportunity to bring this powerful and evocative story to the screen.
Samuel is an emerging filmmaker, dedicated to changing mainstream narratives through storytelling. He is an AMPI alumni, and was the 2023 Finnish Film Affair’s filmmaker-in-residence. His work has been shown at Helsinki’s Bio Rex Lasipalatsi Theatre, and YLE. His work focuses on social issues, and aims to bring attention to experiences and voices that deserve to be heard.
Isabella Presnal – Producer
Isabella Presnal is a Finnish-American filmmaker and producer with over a decade of experience in video production. She has lived and worked in five countries, bringing a global perspective to every project. Her work has screened internationally, and her acclaimed documentary Female, Why Not Just Filmmaker was recognized as one of Finland’s top bachelor’s theses in 2022.
Her latest project, From the Ground Up, filmed across five countries, premiered in L.A. and has reached over 50,000 viewers. Isabella is passionate about telling meaningful, human-centered stories through film.
Dinos Bitsios - Director of Photography
Dinos Bitsios is a filmmaker, cinematographer, and photographer with a deep love for visual storytelling based in Helsinki. His background comes from short-form video and creative content. He is especially passionate about creating story-driven documentaries and short films that feel honest and immersive.
Cast
RODERIK KABANGA
ELSA SAISO
PRAVI SINGH
EEVA PUTRO
JOOA SALE
KARDO SHIWAN
How you can help
Please consider supporting the film financially. You can select any of the incentives we have listed that you can find by clicking the link below, or if you would like to discuss a larger sponsorship, please contact our Producer, Isabella Presnal ( isabella@presnal5.com ).
Incentives:
15€ - Personalized thank you email and shoutout on our official Instagram page as a supporter
25€ - Previous + Name in Credits under “Special Thanks”
40€ - Previous + Early access to the film before festival release
80€ - Previous + Custom video thank you message from Director and/or Actors and an Invite to an online Q&A session with select crew and cast
150€ - Previous + Invite to private online screening & feedback session
500€ - Corporate sponsor; Previous + Associate Producer credit and Logo in credits and applicable promotional materials
Or
donate any amount you can afford <3
Follow and Share! We have a dedicated Instagram account for the film @whispersofthepast_film, where we will be sharing ALL film updates. Re-share our posts with your friends - we truly appreciate all the support!