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)

2024: Wallachia Int'l Film Festival - Feature Film Award

2024: Amsterdam New Cinema Film Festival - Best Feature Film Director Award

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”

https://www.germanfilmsquarterly.de/feature1_23_3.html...

VARIETY magazine Cannes/Marche du film 2023 edition mention:

https://variety.com/.../global/germany-cannes-1235619260/

*Currently: open for festival & distribution requests.