Experiencing Interruptions?

Forgive Me, Father

A guilt-stricken nun desperately seeks forgiveness for her sins in the confines of her church. When a priest hears her confession, he begins to realize that something more sinister is at hand.

  • Lyndall Stephenson
    Director
  • Lyndall Stephenson
    Writer
  • Lyndall Stephenson
    Producer
  • Caroline Jelley
    Producer
  • Lyndall Stephenson
    Key Cast
    "Sister Agnes"
  • Martin Foster
    Key Cast
    "Father Michael"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 56 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 12, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Lyndall Stephenson

Lyndall Stephenson is an Actor/Writer/Director/Producer from Cambridge, England, but identifies as a third-culture-kid having grown up between the UK, South Africa, and the US. Past credits include her college Senior Thesis short film "Nomad" about female homelessness which won the Jury Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Student Showcase. Her short film "Sisters" won her Best Actress and an Excellence Award at the One Reeler Short Film Competition. "Forgive Me, Father" is her third short film that she has written, directed, produced, and starred in. Upcoming directing credits are "Zanahoria" - short film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"Forgive Me, Father" is a psychological drama tackling the topic of "Purity Culture" within the Christian Church and its negative impacts on women. Purity culture can be described as "a subculture within Christianity which emphasizes subjective individual "purity," generally associated with female chastity". One might see no issue with this emphasis, as it follows the biblical teachings of abstinence before marriage. However, many women have been negatively impacted by this culture, as it usually carries the attitude that a young woman's "sexual and bodily purity" is the most valuable thing that they possess and that it is up to us to protect our own "purity". If this "purity" is jeopardised in any way, shape, or form, the blame would more often than not fall on the woman, no matter the circumstance.

Not only do I believe this to be a highly toxic narrative, but it can also lead to victim-shaming, fetishization of virginity, and result in abusers being knowingly or unknowingly enabled to continue their harmful behaviors.

I believe that this culture of idolizing sexual and bodily "purity" in women is not biblical and does not reflect God's heart for women nor how the Church should approach female sexuality.

We as a team of filmmakers whole heartedly believe in the power of film to challenge, assess, and explore important topics, and we hope to do that with this film.