In the emotionally resonant award-winning short film Fractal, writer Keaton Morris-Stan stars as Grace, a nurse whose seemingly ordinary day is abruptly interrupted by a medical emergency. This event triggers a series of surreal, dreamlike memories. Directed by Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg, Fractal explores the fragile boundaries between reality and imagination, touching on profound themes of love, regret, and the aching sense of loss for something that may never have existed. As Grace collapses mid-shift and finds herself in a hospital bed moments later, the audience is drawn into a psychological and emotional journey that challenges perceptions of memory, identity, and longing.
The striking cinematography (Mirella Cardosa) is heightened by a powerful rain scene, filmed from behind the central character, Grace. In this moment, the rain serves as a poignant metaphor for the dissolution of Grace’s dream, as it seemingly erases the essence of her memories. Throughout the film, the cinematography and direction subtly evoke a surreal atmosphere, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. The soft, ethereal lighting amplifies the sense of unease, enveloping the audience in a trancelike haze. It creates an atmosphere of subtle tension, where nothing feels quite grounded in reality. This delicate illumination draws the audience into a state of uncertainty, leaving them unsure whether what they’re witnessing is a fragile memory, a fleeting illusion, or an altered perception of reality.
Morris-Stan leads the cast with a powerful, tender performance full of raw emotion. She makes the audience feel the tragic weight of Grace’s loss. Through a series of flashbacks, dreams, and fragmented memories, we learn more about Grace’s past, all the while questioning what is real and what is imagined, right up until the end. Her performance encapsulates a dramatic arc that spans a wide emotional spectrum, showcasing a virtuosic display of craft as she masterfully navigates a full range of sensations with remarkable depth and authenticity. The cast is rounded out by Grace’s love interest, Brandon (Austin Michael Young), and her friend and nurse colleague, Ben (Eddie Carroll). Both deliver empathetic performances that complement Morris-Stan’s lead.
The sensitive and evocative original music (Gabby Henderson), enhance the characters’ emotional journey in a subtle but effective tone. The musical harmony plays out in a soft yet illustrative and poetic manner, unfolding in segments that complement the visuals in a lyrical way. Although most of the music is instrumental, a few powerful vocal moments punctuate some key scenes that heighten the emotional resonance for audiences.
Director Goldberg and writer/star Morris-Stan capture a profound sense of loss, creating a poetic moment of sadness that invites everything human about, life, love, and happiness. Grief manifests in many ways, and the power of the human mind to visualize that loss in a series of dreamlike images is a wonderful statement of the power of oneself.
