Experiencing Interruptions?

Ludere

A girl haunted by grief is reconnected with her estranged sister as they come to terms with the dark truth behind their distanced relationship.

Described as a "highly distinctive piece of experimental cinema" by Movies Brand founder and NoBudge curator, Kentucker Audley, LUDERE is an award-winning haunting portrait of grief and dealing with loss.

  • Ryan Henry Knight
    Director
    You Almost Saw Me, False Face, Mumbo Jumbo, Tide
  • Ryan Henry Knight
    Writer
    You Almost Saw Me, False Face, Mumbo Jumbo, Tide
  • Ryan Henry Knight
    Producer
    You Almost Saw Me, False Face, Mumbo Jumbo, Tide
  • Janet Rose
    Producer
  • Luigi Thomas
    Stylists
    My Friend, I Like War
  • Amira R.
    Stylists
  • Ahab Mullick
    Composer
    You Almost Saw Me, Dovetail
  • Dwain Lamar Coleman
    Sound Mixing
  • Elijah Johnson
    Boom Operator
  • Janet Rose
    Lighting Director
    You Almost Saw Me, My Friend I Like War
  • Camara Bomani
    Cast
    Free From Color, You Almost Saw Me
  • Kayla Dixon
    Cast
  • Zipporah Dorsey
    Cast
    My Friend, I Like War
  • King Karynn
    End Credits Music
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Mystery
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 25, 2019
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1 : 33
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Austin Arthouse Film Festival
    Austin, Texas
    United States
    Semi-Finalist
  • Chain NYC Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    August 12, 2019
    Official Selection
  • European Market of Young and Independent Cinema
    Naples
    Italy
    August 4, 2019
    Official Selection
  • NoBudge
    Brooklyn
    United States
    June 28, 2019
    Online Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Student Director (Male), Honorable Mention
Director Biography - Ryan Henry Knight

Born February 4, 2000, Ryan Henry Knight (born Ryan Potts) is an award-winning screenwriter, film director, producer, and visual artist from Alexandria, Virginia. Currently living, learning, and working in Atlanta, Georgia, Ryan is the co-founder and creative director of independent motion picture studio, HÖMA Motion Pictures and a programmer for PRINDIE: Princeton Independent Film Festival. Additionally, Ryan works as a part-time educator, instructing youth short-form narrative filmmaking courses at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia. Ryan has garnered a number of accolades, winning top prizes for both screenwriting and directing in international festivals and competitions. He was one of the youngest recipients to receive the prestigious fellowship award from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for his accomplishments in film and video at the age of 18. Also at the age of 18, he was the youngest person to receive the highest award at the New York International Screenplay Awards for his work on "And Home We Came." Currently, he is working toward a bachelor of fine arts degree in film at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

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Director Statement

In Latin, “ludere” simply means ‘to play.’ Out of all things that this film could’ve been called, ‘to play’ felt right to me. In my film, there are so many things that are being played with, such as emotions, death, and the strength of a relationship. There are so many ways this title can be interpreted. This is a film about loss and everything that comes with it; specifically guilt. So I guess it’s more of a film about the feeling of guilt, and how such a sensation can affect a person. I want people who have felt the emotions portrayed in this film to say “That’s exactly what this feels like. Someone else understands.” And not only that but — I just want people to talk about it. I want to create a dialogue not only about the mentality of those who are suicidal, but the people who are around them; the loved ones who are left to feel the dreaded aftermath of it all. What do they say to their lost loved ones? Who is to blame? Is there anyone to blame? And these are just questions that I ask myself, so I’m curious to hear what people have to say.

This film was a student produced for my final project of the 2019 Spring quarter at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia.