Feature Film
“The Meaning of A Ritual”
Logline:
An empathic, young plant doctor gifted with extrasensory powers and an emotionally fragile, isolated artist, must rescue each other to rediscover the essence of living.
A coming of age story about two women from different generations, who have more in common than they are willing to admit.
She is learning, she is growing, evolving, blooming, healing, transcending. She is YOU.
***You live life forward, but understand it backwards.***
***“Sometimes we don’t want to heal, because our pain is the last link to what we have lost.***
***Sometimes magical beginnings are disguised as painful endings.***
Genre: Psychological Coming-Of-Age, Magical Realism Drama
Length: 84 min
Release Year: 2023
Language: German (available with English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese subtitles)
What the film is like?
Imagine "Amelie" meets "Persona" in the big city setting of Berlin.
A female-driven genre film with 100% female cast.
*The script was developed in collaboration with Sundance Collab.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
https://www.themeaningofaritual.com
INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/meaning_of.film
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/The-Meaning-Of-A-Ritual-103716652193663
Digital Press kit (ENGLISH):
https://issuu.com/macmahonmedia/docs/presskit-the_meaning_of_a_ritual-english_7_1_?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ
Digital Press kit (GERMAN):
https://issuu.com/macmahonmedia/docs/de-_presskit-the_meaning_of_a_ritual_2_?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ
Themes:
Becoming-of-Self/ Mother-Daughter Relationship/ The Power Of Rituals/ Importance Of Nature/ Finding the strength to move on & live again
“The Meaning Of A Ritual” explores how everything in life, everything in our universe is truly connected.
A fable about two women in the process of becoming themselves and moving on from the past.
A story that proves that we are in the process of discovering and becoming ourselves our whole life.
There is always the possibility of change if we manage to overcome our fears that are holding us back.
FESTIVALS:
Västerås/Nordic Star Filmfestival 2023
“Best International Feature Film Cinematography” for DOP Tom O’Keefe at the “Vasteras/Nordic Star Film Festival” - “The Meaning Of A Ritual”
“Talent Prize” for lead actress Elli Treptow at the “Vasteras/Nordic Star Film Festival” - “The Meaning Of A Ritual”
Nomination in the categories: “Best International Feature Film”, “Best International Feature Film Director”, “Best International Feature Film Cinematography”, “Best International Feature Film Screenplay”, “Best International Feature Film Actress”- “The Meaning Of A Ritual”
Horsetooth FilmFest 2023
Louisville's International Festival of Film 2023
International Sound & Film Music Festival (ISFMF)- Nomination- Best Feature Film Original Soundtrack (Federico Truzzi)
19 Muestra Internacional de Mujeres en el Cine y la Televisión 2023 (Mexico) 2023
Madonie Film Festival 2023- Award Winner
International Film Festival (KIFF)- Kerry Fringe Film Screenings 2023
Santa Clarita International Film Festival 2023- Nomination Feature Film Category
Veracruz World Film Festival 2023
Florence International Film Festival 2023
Luleå International Film Festival 2023
Capri Hollywood- International Film Festival 2023
Valencia Indie Film Festival 2024
International Women Filmmakers Festival (Turkey) 2024
Oxford Film Festival (USA) 2024
Bratislava Film Festival 2024
Cine Paris Film Festival 2024- Best Director Award
Achill Island Film Festival 2024- Honorable Mention
New Zealand Independent Film Festival 2024- Nomination Best Feature Film
Sarasota Film Festival 2024
Dallas Independent Film Festival 2024- Best Feature Film Award
AltFF Alternative Film Festival (Canada) 2024 - Best Feature Drama- Award Nomination
AltFF Alternative Film Festival (Canada) 2024 - Best Actress Award
Red Fox International Film Festival (Georgia) 2024
Engativá International Film Festival (Colombia) 2024
Cinergo International Film Festival (Greece) 2024
RIFFA - Regina International Film Festival and Awards 2024 (Canada)
Maracay International Film & Video Festival 2024
Interrobang Film Festival (USA) 2024
Bedford International Film Festival (USA) 2024
North Carolina Film Festival 2024 - Honorary Mention
Broadway International Film Festival Los Angeles 2024
Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival 2024 (Finalist)
Seattle Film Summit 2024 (Finalist)
2024: Montmartre Movie Extravaganza - Nomination Best Feature Film
2024: International Film Arts and Hearts Film Festival (Honorable Mention)
2024: Orlando Film Festival
2024: Chico Independent Film Festival
2024: INFLUX Film Awards (USA) (Honorable Mention)
2025: The Women's Independent Film & Television Festival (USA) (Finalist)
TEAM:
Screenwriter/Director/Producer: Natalie MacMahon
DOP: Tom O'Keefe
Focus Puller: Sebastián Schroth Lopez
Co-Producer & Light: Camilo Zamora
Sound: Francesco Salvadori
Sound Post Production: Dino Gervasoni
Original Music composed by: Federico Truzzi
Director Assistants: Meike Grone, Emma Logan, Milena W., Sophia Tiedemann
Best Boy: Milo Antoine, Hugo Finlay
Make up/Styling: Lesia Vasilets
Set Photographer: Omar Abogabal
CAST:
Elli Treptow
Annette Pausch
Karin Muehlhoff
Anna Pfingsten
Katinka Muth
Alexandra Ebert
Sisi Forster
special appearance by “Hauptstadtpilot”
Artist Statement:
This is a story about different women, who have the potential to help each other, if they are open enough and see what’s right in front of them.
The nature elements and special power of nature throughout, show them that there are higher forces, things we cannot explain logically. However, they feel that all things are essentially connected and happen for a specific reason.
And then there is the power of rituals- how do they change us, transform us and even heal us?
“There is a reason why we are so lonely. It’s often something we don’t share with others. The truth.”
“The Meaning Of A Ritual” is a tender portrayal of loss, true human connections and the fascinating process of discovering the meaning of life.
The press kit of the film is available in English & German and can be sent upon request.
*Marketing material in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and French is also available when needed.
“The Meaning Of A Ritual” featured in the Berlinale 2023 edition of “German Films Quarterly”
VARIETY magazine Cannes/Marche du film 2023 edition mention:
https://variety.com/.../global/germany-cannes-1235619260/
*Currently: open for festival & distribution requests.