ICE INTO FIRE - EMERGENCE

A struggling artist faces a harsh reality after graduating from university, forced to take a soulless office job they unwittingly fall prey to a cult, suffer a total mental breakdown, institutionalization and become pregnant then must find a way to get better for the sake of the child. Based on the director's real-life experiences.

  • Anja Sagan
    Director
    Emerging From Ice Into Fire; War, Remembered
  • Anja Sagan
    Writer
    Emerging From Ice Into Fire; War, Remembered
  • Anja Sagan
    Producer
    Emerging From Ice Into Fire; War, Remembered
  • Anja Sagan
    Key Cast
    "Anja Sagan"
  • Kathryn Malek
    Key Cast
    "Marcia"
    Margaret Rudin, "Murder Wall" - Our House Media, 2018; Barbara "A Family Affair" 2018; Julie, "Paranormal Survivor" 2016
  • Sheyan Mannan
    Key Cast
    "John Venturer"
  • Cesar Erba
    Key Cast
    "Marvin"
    Joe "Offworld" 2018; Priest, "Molly's Love Story" 2017
  • Elisabeth Harden
    Key Cast
    "Cult Panelist"
  • Michael Sagan
    Key Cast
    "Psychiatric Nurse, Himself"
  • Janet McKenzie-Cohen
    Key Cast
    "Cult Panelist Extra"
  • Mandy Tam
    Key Cast
    "Cult Member Extra, Camera Assist"
  • Sarah Ramkisoon
    Key Cast
    "Cult Member Extra"
  • Cher Morari
    Key Cast
    ""Anja" As Shamanic Patient, Camera Assist, Props Assist"
  • Anja Sagan
    Cinematographer
    Emerging From Ice Into Fire; War, Remembered
  • Lance Carlson
    Cinematographer
    Camera, Director & Producer "Charlie" Episode TV Special "The Nature Of Things" , CBC; "Green Footsteps" (Special) Discovery Channel; DOP "Jajo's Secret" Doc Special OMNI TV; DOP "Footie" World Cup Doc Special - Grove House Productions
  • Mandy Tam
    Cinematographer
  • Anja Sagan
    Editor
  • Mauricion Belli
    Editor
  • Bruce Bartlett
    Original Music
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 12 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 23, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Anja Sagan
  • Rendezvous With Madness Film Festival, Processing Duration
    Toronto
    Canada
    November 6, 2021
    Premiere
  • Rendezvous With Madness, Workman Arts Shorts Program
    Toronto
    Canada
    November 6, 2016
    Premiere
Distribution Information
  • Anja Sagan
    Distributor
    Country: Canada
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Anja Sagan

Anja Sagan (they/them) is a filmmaker, bestselling author, artist, standup comic and shamanic practitioner.
Their work centers around spirituality, mythology, transcending labels, and the astounding power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. Anja’s greatest passion, and what they aspire to do in all their work is to inspire people to see possibilities even in the face of the greatest adversities, and explore the truly mythic nature of our existence.

A native of Toronto, when Anja is not writing or creating films they can be found cycling, wilderness camping with their son, traveling, or being human furniture for their numerous animal companions.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Ice Into Fire Emergence was created to help shed light on mental health as well as the beauty of what can emerge after we break. Like the Japanese art of "Kintsugi", where pottery is broken and put back together using gold lacquer. It is believed to be much more beautiful with the cracks and the gold that was used to put the pieces back together. So often the ego acts as a mask for our true selves and it is only when that vessel is cracked that the light (or gold) of the true spirit within, can shine out.

I invite people to explore the things that have 'cracked' them as gifts and to see the broken vessels as more beautiful. The big challenges in life bring us to our knees and can return us to focus on what really matters. At the end of the day, self-love is the foundation of a life well-lived and gives us a greater capacity to love others. Having the shell crack, can allow us to be humble and compassionate towards others and share our love and wisdom with everyone around us.

This film was based on my real-life experiences of being in a cult-like spiritual group, after taking a job in a toxic work environment for many years.
I share this openly as a person with lived-experience to show that it is okay to be fully yourself even in a world where some may not understand you.