Experiencing Interruptions?

Tabula Rasa US

Amina is a gothic teenager who's failing at school. One day, she is offered the possibility of changing all her grades to A+ if she solves 4 puzzles. Instead of learning her lessons, Amina decides to take up the challenge. Will she succeed?

  • Sarah Carmen MARLIN
    Director
  • Youth of the workshop "Passeurs d'Image 2019"
    Writer
  • Chantal Sacarabany
    Producer
  • Sandrine MARTAU
    Key Cast
    "Amina"
    Life Note
  • Josué PADE
    Key Cast
    "Teacher"
    Battledream Chronicle
  • Levy LEVERT
    Key Cast
    "James Carter"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Tabula Rasa
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Mystery, Teenager, Coming of Age
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 7 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 1, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    France
  • Country of Filming:
    Martinique
  • Language:
    French
  • Shooting Format:
    HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:35
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Distribution Information
  • Ciné Woulé Company
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Sarah Carmen MARLIN

Sarah-Carmen MARLIN is a 17-year-old director, student at the Victor Schœlcher high school, literature and theatre specialty. She discovered the world of cinema in 2017 when she worked as a volunteer with the C.A.D.I.C.E Ciné Woulé association then she joined the "Passeurs d'IImages" workshops to learn how to create films. She was able to wear several hats such as production designer, assistant, clapman. Then in 2019, she worked as an assistant cinematographer then made her directorial debut with her first short film "Tabula rasa", produced thanks to a team of 30 young cinema lovers.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

How to be different at school? How to survive mockery and isolation? While the subject of school harassment is now topical, I wanted to speak on this subject because it touched me personally.
Amina is a part of me and my classroom life. Judgment, rejection, harassment have become my daily life. I too am Gothic, and like Amina, I also isolate myself.
Through this film, I’m sending a cry to all those who are going through this, so that they stay strong and never give up. It’s also a cry that I throw at myself to never bend my knee whatever the future problems I encounter.
This type of harassment has existed for a very long time and has already contributed to so many tragedies. And so far, there is no law protecting children from this evil.
I also wanted to show that even if Amina refuses to work in the classroom, she is not an idiot. Each puzzle demonstrates that she is way smarter than we would think. Because we shouldn't judge anyone based on their appearance. And her kind heart will give her that reward that she was no longer expecting. That's my way to show that school should not make us lose our humanity, because it is this humanity that leads us to success.