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Descent

[2007]
TFF 07
Feature Narrative | 104 min

Synopsis

A tale of innocence shattered, dreams destroyed and vengeance fulfilled, Descent begins with an idealistic vision of college sweethearts and wild house parties, but quickly falls apart when a rape sends a co-ed into a spiral of drugs, rage and despair. Maya (Rosario Dawson, also producer) is a promising student, identified by her professor as top of her class. When she meets Jared (Chad Faust) at a party, she's disgusted by the frat-boy mentality and the boys hitting on her friend. Maya's quick to mock Jared's pick-up lines and shrugs off his insinuations. But his persistent charm wins her over, and she gives him a chance by handing over her phone number. Jared later violently attacks her, both physically and psychologically, shattering her notions of a perfect life and sending her reeling into a state of depression. Maya soon floats into a circle of promiscuous drug users, abandoning the idealistic life she once sought for a world of hedonism and escape, until one day she finds herself face to face with the boy who stole everything from her. Offered a chance at the last word, Maya's grappling with the fear Jared instilled in her and her determination to avenge that pain culminates in a decision that will change them both forever. Promising young talents-director Talia Lugacy and co-screenwriter Brian Priest-have created a dark and daring commentary on rape and its aftermath. Rosario Dawson displays dynamic range, deftly handling the weighty material in theis potent debut feature.

---Steven Snyder

About The Director(s)

TALIA LUGACY was born and raised in New York City. In 2001, she graduated from New York University. Three years later, she formed Trybe Films with partners Brian Priest and Rosario Dawson. Descent is her first feature film.

Director Statement

One in six women in the United States has been raped. Less than 40% report it and more than half never tell anyone. The emotional toll this takes on our mothers, sisters and daughters has been unquestionably immense. The fact that so few choose to talk about it only highlights the complicated and taboo nature of its aftermath. How do women move on after such a traumatic experience? How does it affect who they are and how they perceive themselves? How can they ultimately achieve peace of mind? These are the obstacles facing Maya in our film Descent.