Anima (2003)

Director:

Erika Grediaga

Writer:

Erika Grediaga (writer)

Genre:

Short | Drama | Horror

Plot:

A young woman (Claudia Soberon) fighting against fate ends up being tamed by her faith.

Plot Keywords:

Convent | Nun | Sacrifice | Wall | Ghost

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Claudia Soberón	...	Angelica
Carol Abney	...	Mother Superior
Dennis Deal	...	Brother Matheo Bonilla
Rick Simon	...	Father Francisco
Katira Santiago	...	Sor Luciana
Melodee Spevack	...	Ignacia (as Melodee M. Spevack)
Katira Alvarez	...	Sor Luciana
Karen Teliha	...	Sor Porter (as Karen Teliah)
Christine Dunn	...	Sor Eduviges
Sandra Robinson	...	Sor Juana
Jeanne Mount	...	Sor Gracia
Pablo Markelis	...	16 Century Priest (voice)
Christine Ball	...	Extra talent
Sheila Libby	...	Extra talent
Kathleen Boord	...	Extra talent

Also Known As:

Cloisters (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:26 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Filming Locations:

Lompoc, California, USA

Company:

American Film Institute (AFI)

Trivia:

The original script title was "Cloisters". The title was changed during post-production. "Anima" means "Soul" in Latin.

Quotes:

Father Francisco: The existence of this spirit will be tested. These burns are not enough to prove it. You will be questioned regarding many matters.
Angelica: By whom?
Father Francisco: The Holy Office of the Inquisition.
Angelica: What will become of me?
[desperate]
Angelica: Please, save me. Take me away from here.

A must-see!

I recently saw this terrific short film at the San Diego Latino Film Festival and I was totally impressed by it. How many surprises a little short film like this can give? A lot, believe me! The very first scene is shocking: I won't tell what happens but it sets so well a claustrophobic atmosphere which last until the end credits. The story - set during the colonial period in Mexico - is interesting: a young nun (Claudia Soberon) is haunted by the ghost of Sor Luciana, a nun who was buried alive between the walls of the convent 100 years before. No one seems to believe her: the Mother Superior (Carol Abney) thinks she is possessed by the Devil and calls the Holy Office of Inquisition. The only salvation for the poor girl seems to be the escape from the convent...

A paragraph at the end reveals that the well-designed script by writer-director Erika Grediaga is based on several legends about the monastic life in Latin America. The way Grediaga involved those legends into a disturbing and fascinating ghost story is excellent: the scenes that involves the spirit (as the dream sequence in the outside) are terrifying and helmer Grediaga successfully handles the suspense throughout the entire story. The performances are generally good as the material: the impressive cast includes the strong performances by Claudia Soberon, Carol Abney, Dennis Deal, Katira Alvarez and Rick Simon.

The young and talented Soberon delivers a convincingly vulnerable portrayal as the nun haunted by the ghost. She gives her best to create an empathic and desperate character (she is excellent in the scene when she's crying on the bed, as she realize there's no way out).

Carol Abney as the Mother Superior has a great opportunity to show her talents: she doesn't confine her multi-faced character into the classical cliche of the evil mother superior. She gives true life to a well-conceived character with passion and energy.

Co-stars Dennis Deal, Rick Simon and Katira Alvarez haven't much screen time but they support the story with strong performances: Deal is throughly believable as Brother Matheo Bonilla, Simon offers an emotional, conflicting and moving portrayal and Alvarez is terrifying as requested. Tech credits are fine: a wonderful score, a good lensing and editing work. The make-up department did a great job with the ghost and the costume / production designers were able to put the audience into the Colonial Period. It's a must see!