Private Project

The Strength Within You - A Culture of Silence

Eve is a latina that was sexually abused by her boyfriend. In the mist of confusion and insecurities, she goes to a latinx & POC silent retreat to find peace, where she meets Oliver, a latino/black man who was also raped but no one believed him. In the course of the day, she meets the handsome son of the retreat's manager, Lee. Both get flirty with each other until she finds out Lee's real truth and Eve must make a difficult choice that will speak volumes.

  • Katia Belas
    Director
  • Hyten Davidson
    Writer
  • Katia Belas
    Producer
  • Kayla Arellano
    Key Cast
    "Eve"
  • Lowes Moore III
    Key Cast
    "Lee"
  • Gabriel Silva
    Key Cast
    "Oliver"
  • Ashlea Hayes
    Key Cast
    "Lula"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 3, 2019
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Katia Belas

Katia Belas graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from Federal University of Rio De Janeiro Brazil. While in Brazil, she was invited to assist the producer of Brazilian Singer Elaine Guedes for her concert at the Municipal Theatre of Niteroi, RJ as well as the producer of Ricky Martin's concert on Feb. 2nd, 1997, in Rio De Janeiro. She came to America to improve her skills in film producing by taking a certificated program of courses in Film and TV at UCLA Extension, which has led her to Internships in TV and Film productions such as Crush (2000) from USA Network, Jane Bond (2001), a short film from Trillion Entertainment (Raleigh Studios). Katia's experience has also afforded her the opportunity to work in the production offices of Lynda Obst (Lynda Obst Productions), based out of Paramount Pictures, and in the personal office of Executive Producer Dan Halsted (Halsted Pictures). More work and IMDb credits: www.KMBEntertainment.com

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Director Statement

I felt that rape culture and sexual abuse isn't talked about enough in the communities where man has the power and culturally women are believed to take care of their men. Latinx and African American communities have higher rates of non-reported sexual crimes due to their cultural and background believes. This film was to help inspire and open the eyes from people of these communities, to speak up and prevent more criminal behaviors to continue destroying our communities in a whole.

All cast, inclueding background extras are either Latinx or POC actors.

Created by a Latina/Brazilian Producer, Katia Belas, this project encourages a wide variety of diversity on and off camera including Deaf (disable) professional and amateur artists, black (POC), Jews, Christians, members of the LGBTQ, Native-American (indigenous), immigrants from Latin america, Europe, Middle Eastern and Asia. All united through the art of filmmaking.