ABOUT AFTERGLOW
Afterglow centers on Marcus, a bouncer at a nightclub, who unravels by the sudden disappearance of Lila, a woman he shared a special bond with. Set against the neon-soaked backdrop of late-night cityscapes, Marcus's life unravels as he searches for answers, revisiting the fragments of their connection and the memories that haunt him.
As Marcus’ inability to figure things out persists, he struggles to navigate the line between holding on to the past and finding the strength to move forward. His journey is one of introspection, vulnerability, and emotional reckoning, exploring the spaces left behind by those we lose—whether by choice or circumstance.
Afterglow is a meditative NEO noir drama that will serve as a proof of concept for a feature-length project. Visually and tonally, the film draws inspiration from works like All of Us Strangers, In the Mood for Love, and the contemplative energy of Drive, creating a poignant exploration of connection, loss, and the fragile beauty of memory.
DIRECTOR STATEMENT
Afterglow came to me at a time in my life when I felt untethered, as if the ground beneath me had shifted, leaving me searching for balance from a loss. There’s a peculiar pain in dealing with an absence that becomes a presence. This film is my way of exploring that emotional terrain: the tension between holding on and letting go, and the spaces we navigate in the absence of those we’ve lost—whether through choice or circumstance.
Afterglow isn’t about finding answers or resolutions for me. It’s about honoring the complexity of an absence and the undeniable pull of the past, even as we yearn to move forward. At its heart, Afterglow is a story of longing and the fragility of human connection—it’s about how a connection can transform us, even when it slips through our fingers. By delving into the emotional resonance of loss, I wanted to capture the quiet, aching beauty of those moments that stay with us long after.
Growing up in a hyper-masculine environment, I was drawn to male characters who defied rigid expectations—men who felt deeply, loved, and grappled with their struggles with quiet vulnerability. Their openness stood in contrast to the stoic, impenetrable ideal I was surrounded by and inspired me to create Marcus. He embodies traditional masculinity—stoic and self-reliant—while navigating the vulnerability of processing love and loss, reflecting the often-unspoken emotional struggles men face.
Representation of men like Marcus feels essential today. Stories often focus on "alpha" men, sidelining the tender, vulnerable sides of masculinity. By exploring Marcus's emotional depth, we challenge stereotypes and create space for empathy. Men aren’t monolithic, and their stories deserve the same nuance as any other. With the incredible team working on the film, I hope to challenge traditional narratives and reveal the sides of masculinity we rarely see on screen.
Afterglow is a story for anyone who has struggled with the weight of a presence that refuses to fade, or the quiet ache of a connection that feels impossible to release. It explores the deeply human experience of longing and the fragile journey toward finding any semblance of closure. We hope this film reaches the tender, unspoken parts of your heart, offering a space to reflect on your own experiences. Love and loss shape us, and in their complexity, we can find both beauty and healing.