Short Film
Becoming Emma Braintree
Directed by 
Joshua Koske
AFIN 2021 Nominee
- 2021
- 13m
-
Australia - English
Stills
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Credits
Written by
Produced by
Synopsis
Based on the short story DAMAGE INC from Aaron Dries CUT TO CARE ANTHOLOGY
Kaylee Desmond is losing her identity. She refuses to acknowledge her family history of trauma. Her current partner is never happy with who she is. And then there’s her job. Kaylee is a frontline therapist who performs a unique form of treatment- she dresses as the lost loved one of her clients, so that they can say goodbye.
On what she believes to be a routine visit, Kaylee meets Bernadette and Richard Braintree. They are everything she could have ever wanted from parents. She’s jealous of their daughter Emma, and can’t fathom why she would have committed suicide. While debriefing with her work appointed Psychologist, Kaylee requests a second visit. This goes against the purpose of the practice, but strangely, the Psychologist agrees.
Kaylee visits the Braintrees and again, it’s a beautiful experience. But as Kaylee is wrapping up her session, she begins to feel funny… Light headed… Woozy. She blacks out and…
Awakens in Emma’s bedroom where, with the help of the Psychologist, the Braintrees brainwash Kaylee into becoming Emma Braintree.
Director's Statement
Becoming Emma Braintree is about the loss of identity through past, personal, and professional trauma. This version of becoming Becoming Emma Braintree is a proof of concept for the full episode that is a part of the anthology series 'Cut to Care' created by Joshua Koske and Aaron Dries. The 'Black Mirror' of the human heart, 'Cut to Care' examines the cost of caring for others, at the expense of ones self.
Director's Biography
Joshua Koske Director
Joshua is an American born writer who moved to Australia over ten years ago. His background is Psychology and he has worked in mental health, aged care, homelessness support, domestic violence support, and foster care for over 15 years supporting the most vulnerable in our communities. Simultaneously he has balanced his passion for community service with a successful writing career that has seen him lucky enough to work internationally as a paid writer for both film and tv.