Nothing goes together like Kool-Aid and a death cult. In Richard Raymond’s Souls of Totality, he tells a story of love in the midst of a religious cult’s transition to a higher plane during a total eclipse of the sun.
Written by Ben Bolea and Kate Trefry, Souls of Totality follows Lady 18 (Tatiana Maslany), the newest member of a religious community preparing to be taken away during the Great American Eclipse of 2017. Lady 18 is in a predicament. She is in love with Guy 3 (Tom Cullen) while given the high honor by the cult’s leader Shepherd One (Helen Shaver) to stay behind and rebuild the flock until the next eclipse. The result is Lady and Guy would then be separated for possibly an eternity.
“A love story that takes full advantage of the actual total eclipse from 2017…”
Raymond’s short examines Lady’s love for Guy, her devotion to her community and its beliefs, and the lengths Lady and Guy will go through for love. It’s a beautiful short film, shot on a midwestern farm and takes full advantage of the actual total eclipse from 2017, in case you missed it. Maslany and Cullen have wonderful chemistry (who knew). Bolea and Trefry’s story is tight and efficient with a nice ending worthy of a recommendation.
This short is a testament to taking advantage of an opportunity (the actual total eclipse) and the ability to collaboratively rush together a story and production under a strict deadline. The final result was amazing since there was only one chance to capture the “money” shot perfectly in the end.
Souls of Totality (2018) Directed by Richard Raymond. Written by Ben Bolea and Kate Trefry. Starring Tatiana Maslany, Tom Cullen, Helen Shaver. Souls of Totality screened at the 2018 HollyShorts Film Festival.
7.5 out of 10 stars
Watched the clip last night. Loved it! When and where can someone in Pittsburgh, PA, be able to watch the entire short? Thanks!