A woman walks alone through a snowy wood, searching for something. Riddled with flashbacks of her family being executed, she comes across many strange symbols and structures: a portal-like wooden ring, trees marked with a circle-and-line sigil, and a masked child. GAEA is her name, and this is her story.
Though this short film contains no dialog except for muffled cries for help, GAEA holds an enormous amount of story and worldbuilding. In a time of villages and magic, Gaea holds a necklace close to her, searching for answers while it illuminates on its own. We don’t know what led up to this moment or why her family was slaughtered, but we can assume a higher power based on that necklace and the appearance of her former self, dancing in a mysterious way as if to call upon those higher powers.
This is cinema. Sweeping shots of snow-covered forests and emotion-ridden closeups of the characters tell us all we need to know. We can feel it in our bones. GAEA is not only a beautiful film, but a kind of beauty that calls on something deeper inside of us. Gaea’s journey leads her on a quest of self-discovery and easing her yearning, answering her questions, guiding her to her future. It is a simple story, but incredibly powerful.
GAEA is not just a film; it is raw emotion that starts off with longing and ends with a sense of confidence and wonder. Gaea (played by Amy Zubieta) is a strong character that will no doubt live up to her destiny, whatever that may be. The childlike entity (Charlotte Williams) provides that mystique and magic to keep the audience wondering what will come next. I don’t want to spoil it, but the ending leaves me craving for the next scene, the next piece of the puzzle. The last 10 minutes of this half-hour short are a definite cliff-hanger — but in a good way.
GAEA is quiet but at the same time, screams its story from the treetops. It is simple, yet complex. GAEA is earthy, but also not of this world — almost spiritual. It is something I want to see more of.
GAEA is in theaters March 8th. Check out the ExChroma Productions website for more information.
