Untethered

When Sylvie's Dad moves in with them due to his worsening Alzheimer's, the line between past and present blurs as haunting events unfold in their home.

  • Rachelle Younie
    Director
    Zoe and Hannah Forever
  • Rhye Paddack
    Writer
  • Rachelle Younie
    Writer
    Zoe and Hannah Forever, Assistance in Dying
  • Patrycja Mila Kamska
    Producer
  • David Borja
    Producer
  • Rachelle Younie
    Producer
    Zoe and Hannah Forever
  • Shanti Harris
    Key Cast
    "Sylvie"
  • Andy Rukes
    Key Cast
    "Dad"
  • Jutta Clarke
    Key Cast
    "Mom/Grandma"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Supernatural Thriller
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 54 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 3, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    11,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Chilliwack Independent Film Festival
    Chilliwack
    Canada
    November 23, 2024
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Rachelle Younie

Rachelle Younie (she/her) is a Vancouver-based writer and director who is drawn to stories about loss, grief, and mental health. Her first short film, Zoe and Hannah Forever, premiered at the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival in 2023 and her feature screenplay, Assistance in Dying, was a top-10 finalist in the 2023 Vancouver International Women in Film Screenplay competition and a semi-finalist in the 2024 Table Read My Screenplay, Park City competition. Rachelle was selected to be one of 15 emerging filmmakers in the 2023 VIFF Catalyst Program.

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Director Statement

Untethered delves into the profound and painful terrain of memory, loss, and the unseen threads that bind us through generations. Inspired by a deeply personal story, the film explores the raw emotional landscape of living with, and loving, someone suffering from Alzheimer's disease, while also confronting the haunting spectre of generational trauma. At its heart, the story is rooted in the experience of my co-writer, a queer, trans individual who never had the chance to reveal her true self to her grandfather before he passed away from complications of Alzheimer's. In capturing this intimate reality, Untethered reflects the unspoken fears, regrets, and hidden wounds that ripple through families.

Our goal with this film is not only to entertain but also to foster empathy. We invite audiences to reflect on the complexities of identity, love, and resilience in the face of inevitable decline. By exploring the intricate dance between memory and loss, we hope to spark conversations about how we navigate the pain of holding onto—and sometimes letting go of—the people we love.

Untethered is a testament to the power of storytelling as a tool for healing. It challenges us to confront the past, not as a place of despair, but as a space where understanding and compassion can begin to take root. In a world where so many stories go untold, we hope this film serves as a reminder that even in the darkest corners of memory, there is light in bearing witness to our truths.