(DCP, 17m) dir Ariel LaFollette-James. Flower and her boyfriend Martin are sharing a cozy, romantic Saturday afternoon when they unexpectedly discover their roommate, Ricky, dead in his bedroom. Heartbroken and scared, Martin worries that Flower could somehow be responsible for Ricky’s death. In the midst of anger, accusation, and utter betrayal, Flower seeks catharsis by any means necessary.

With a hauntingly beautiful score composed by Sam Tudor and dramatic cinematography by Logan Chelmo, When Am I Supposed to Start Feeling Sad? explores depths of human interaction when secrets are exposed.

Ariel LaFollette-James is a first time director. With a deep passion for storytelling, dark imagery and the utterly absurd, Ariel commits to delivering a subversive narrative.

Director Statement

We are living in the year 2023 and women are still facing sexual assault every single day. Often times with trusted members of their social circle. Women face a constant reality that their bodies are not precious and sacred. We are living in the year 2023 and we still belong to men. Tragically, women’s stories are often veiled behind safety, the innermost urge to maintain some sort of normalcy and men. Given the common theme living inside abuse victims is silence, a silent film felt appropriate.

I began writing this script desperately hoping to shine a spotlight on one particular emotion: anger. Sexual assault creates a profound and deep sense of anger that never really goes away. I’ve thoroughly explored the idea that living amongst anger is another deeply profound emotion: catharsis.

It’s immensely important to me that I say this loud and clear to any victim listening: be angry. Find your catharsis, by any means necessary.

4:00 4:45 $5