Angel Back

Two young people, Alex and Marina, feel in love and discover they can’t live with one another. A strong connection is developed between them and they decide to marry. Alex dies in an accident while abroad and Marina struggles with the loss of her boyfriend even as she grows old, trying to get in touch with his spirit.

  • Natalia Ghilascu
    Director
  • Natalia Ghilascu
    Writer
  • Mircea Goia
    Producer
  • Darko Ivanovic
    Camera Operator
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 25, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    700 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Moldova, Republic of
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Los Angeles Independent Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    January 24, 2016
    Official Selection
  • Chicago Paranormal Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    December 4, 2016
    Best Short Film
  • International Miami Film Festival
    Miami Independent Film Festival
    United States
    June 24, 2016
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Natalia Ghilascu

Born and raised in Moldova in 1980, graduated Advanced School of Journalism, filmmaker/journalist who advances the human rights agenda in Moldova. Worked as an anchor at National Moldova TV, activist, passionated about feature films.
In 2013, the documentary film "The exile from Basarabia" was awarded at the CRONOGRAF Film Festival in Moldova for the best local production and in 2012 the journalist was awarded by United Nations for the best journalist who promoted human rights in media.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I developed this script with the belief that love can become universal even after death and that there is no space between life and after-life experiences.

I always wanted to create films that have something positive to say. The first film I made (Angel Back) describes the clash of culture and of religion between two people who love one another. The goal of my film is to brake down the prejudices about rich and poor, about various believes, especially when it comes to a question of love.

I feel honored by the acceptances of film festivals and am very excited that the film will reach many audiences and share a story they may not have known before. What happens after death? Most of the time, the love felling is so big that the person's spirit never leaves, she/he is there to help the other person and embrace the role of an angel.

I dedicate this film to my Jewish friend who's story of life has inspired me to produce this film. I hope you find it appealing and thoughtful. It is my first feature film produced in USA where I study filmmaking. I would be happy to have the film screened in Europe, because it shows the struggle between Jewish family tradition and Buddhism confrontation. It also portrays the challenges of youth who become prisoners of family traditions.

I am astonished by other people's story who suffer the death of a lover and the strong connection they have with the spirit afterwards. They may come in dreams, in spirit or in various many ways to show that they exist. It is just a question of spirituality that I learnt from these people and how they maintain such a powerful connection of a lost love.

I hope the film will create an emotional experience for viewers, and in the process to educate and help create a language of trust of mutual cultural/religious understanding. I hope the viewers will come to understand more fully the meaning of family, value for love and not pride and prejudice.