Private Project

A Month

Nightlight
Half the time I lifted my eyes to the inky sheets above
The orb reflecting rays
Mirrored in the black hole surrounded by iris
It encircled, pushed and pulled
Unattainable
Unreliable changeable
Two-timing witness
Crescent fading torch
Celestial dream
Tomorrownight yesternight tonight
Delight now listless gleaming
Unregistered
Light shrouded from me

‘A Month’ explores how we communicate through silences, especially when we don't know what to say. It's the story of a young man who goes blind. He and his sister must now come to terms with what happened and figure out what that means for them.

  • Maria Messias Mendes
    Director
  • Maria Messias Mendes
    Writer
  • Patrick Bayele
    Producer
  • Maria Messias Mendes
    Producer
  • Louis Searle
    Key Cast
    "Daniel"
  • Annabel Hammond
    Key Cast
    "Cynthia"
  • Christian Dametto
    Director of Photography
  • Francesco Quario
    Editor
  • Tigere
    Music
  • Tigere
    Sound
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Poetry
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 31, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Downing Shorts
    Cambridge
    United Kingdom
    June 13, 2022
    Official Selection
  • The Paus Premieres Festival
    Manchester
    United Kingdom
    July 25, 2022
    Official Selection
  • National Youth Film Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    December 3, 2022
    Official Longlist Selection
  • Breaking Down Barriers
    Moscow
    Russian Federation
    November 17, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions
    Iver Heath
    United Kingdom
    November 20, 2023
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Maria Messias Mendes

Maria Messias Mendes is a Portuguese-Zimbabwean-German writer, director and filmmaker living in London.

She is currently studying for a Masters in Writing for Performance at the University of Cambridge. Previously, Messias Mendes completed a Bachelor with Honours in English with Creative Writing at Queen Mary University of London.

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Director Statement

I am interested in work of hybridity that crosses boundaries of form, medium and language. What fascinates me is the connection between emotion and the political, as well as activist writing thinking about ideas surrounding aesthetics and politics.