Solace is a psychological drama exploring love, loss, and the courage to start anew. At its heart is Karla, a woman navigating the emotional labyrinth of grief while facing the challenge of embracing motherhood alone. This project is not just a film—it’s a reflection on the human spirit and its ability to persevere.
Synopsis:
Act 1: In a last-ditch attempt to repair their relationship, Karla and Eli partake in an unconventional couples’ retreat in the remote British countryside. Central to the retreat is a two-day hike: each couple receives their own one-of-a-kind route that leads to a universal finish line.
Act 2: As Karla and Eli set off, their emotional distance translates into bouts of silence, confrontations, and visceral tension. Though, in the quiet hum of night, a fleeting moment of tenderness reveals his genuine eagerness about becoming a father, and a flashback shows that they both once felt simultaneously excited to build a family together.
Act 3: Next morning, Karla awakes to find Eli gone. Angry, bereft, Karla dangerously and frantically wanders through the forest alone, leading herself to a point of almost complete exhaustion. Eventually, she finds him. A raw flashback merges with the present moment and reveals the ultimate reason for Karla’s trauma: Eli is dead – he died just before she discovered she was pregnant and we find out she isn’t at a couples’ retreat, but at a retreat for recently-bereaved people. Karla must then confront this truth and find the strength within her to start anew.
Moodboard:
A few words from core crew members:
Writer - Daniel O'Neill
I’m Daniel, the writer of Solace. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to stories that creatively explore the intersection between grief and memory — specifically, how the loss of loved ones can forge an island in time, that re-routes one’s life in the present.
The idea for this film stemmed from the lives of my aunts and was born from the desire to explore how trauma and memory operate: how it functions as something that is unable to be clearly remembered and yet can’t be forgotten.
Solace isn’t a film that aims to fix things or neatly tie up grief into a "happy ending”. As long as one’s life continues, so too do the memories of loss. What Solace offers, however, is a reflection on the possibility of moving forward. There is always, no matter the weight of what we’ve lost, a chance to begin again.
I’m so excited for every single member of this talented crew to bring something unique and personal to the film; I really appreciate any support that can help this tender film come to life.
Director - Sophia Dias
I’m Sophia and I’m thrilled to be the director of Solace. This project is deeply special and I’m excited to offer an immersive journey into a character’s inner world through the art form of film. I believe the female experience of grief and pregnancy is uniquely profound, confusing, complex and contradictory. Therefore, it’s essential for me that the film captures these nuances - moments of incongruence, misplaced anger, and the inexpressible emotions that accompany such transformative life events.
I have experience directing short experimental films, as well as a short drama with professional actors, which has equipped me with the necessary skills to direct such a heavy and performance-driven film as Solace. I have full confidence in my crew and am appreciative of any support that helps us make our vision come to life.
Producer - Tom Farahat
Hi I’m Tom, the producer of Solace. Daniel first came to me in late September and sat me down to tell me the story. It was full of the harsh realities of life; I was immediately drawn to the idea - I knew I wanted to bring it to life. I find there is a lot of misrepresentation when dealing with grief within film, yet this story's ability to capture loss in such a raw and accurate remark, resonates with me greatly.
Why support us?
"Solace" is more than just a film—it’s a personal exploration of universal experiences such as grief, memory, and motherhood. While these themes are widely represented and discussed, we aim to approach them in an authentic and innovative way. We're dedicated to portraying the complexity of human emotions through a blend of naturalistic and abstract visuals, pushing the boundaries of storytelling to create an immersive and emotional cinematic experience.
By supporting "Solace," you're not just helping us make a film—you’re joining us in creating a piece of art that resonates deeply with diverse audiences, offering reflection and hope. Your generosity will allow us to bring this vision to life, and together, we can craft a story that lingers in hearts and minds long after the credits roll.
Where is the money going?
None of this would be possible without your help, with your support we are hoping to capture this story's cinematic narrative within beautiful landscapes of the British Countryside and to capture the complex nature of Karla's state of mind, we will also film in "liminal spaces" which require special production design. Your kind donations will also enable us to afford travel expenses, accommodation and aid us in making this production run smoothly and safely.
Here's our budget breakdown:
Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to making this vision a reality. Join us in creating 'Solace' and check out our Instagram (@solacegradfilm) for updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and to follow our journey.