Book of Elegies

The dictionary defines an elegy as a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead. Through visual poetry filmed on phone, “Book of Elegies” explores the ways in which our society buries the identities of young women.

“Book of Elegies” is delivered as a trilogy depicting some of the challenges of girlhood in our society, with motifs of burial, nature, identity, and planting. The final elegy confronts the camera as a powerful tool that may be used to help or harm girls; just like the young women in the film, it is placed in the ground and the viewer must decide if it is being buried or planted.

  • Kate Burney
    Director
  • Kate Burney
    Writer
  • Dominic Girolami
    Writer
  • Dominic Girolami
    Composer
  • Kate Burney
    Composer
  • Kate Burney
    Producer
  • Ava Weller
    Key Cast
  • Moe'Neyah Holland
    Key Cast
  • Keely Paulson
    Key Cast
  • Emma Brennan
    Key Cast
  • Keoni Dilay
    Key Cast
  • Ariona Thompson
    Key Cast
  • Dylan Butler
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 1, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    150 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Kate Burney

Kate Burney considers her first and most formative education to be the library copy of Jim Henson’s "The Storyteller" that her mother would pop in the old DVD player for a few hours of peace. As an early student of those folk tales and myths, Kate has carried a passionate curiosity for stories and their impact with her as she's grown up. She is deeply grateful to her friends and family for supporting her film directorial debut!

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Director Statement

I love the power of arresting visuals. “Book of Elegies” originated as a vehicle for the surreal, and in the process of expanding the (incidentally majority-female) project, I realized that my work was actually turning out to be a very personal reflection on girlhood. Though I have my own interpretation of this film and its messages, my hope is that everyone walks away with something different!