Migratory Birds
Lauren Grant, Clique Pictures
Language: English, Spanish
Based On: Original Screenplay
Project Type: Feature Film (Scripted)
Genre: Drama
Stage of Development: Packaging
Estimated Length (minutes): 90
Director: Tamara Segura
Director Bio:
Tamara Segura is a Cuban - Canadian Filmmaker. Based in Newfoundland, since 2012, Tamara has been awarded with the 2013 RBC Michelle Jackson Award to Best Emerging Female Filmmaker for her film Before the War. Her second Canadian short film, Song for Cuba was produced by the National Film Board of Canada and opened the Busan International Short Film festival in Korea in 2017.
She also co-directed the feature-length documentary Becoming Labrador, winner of the Jury Special Mention in the Construir Cine Festival in Argentina. Her short film C Sharp and D Suspended, was one of the finalists of the CBC Short Film Face Off contest in 2018. Her latest feature-length documentary Seguridad premiered at Miami International Film Festival, HotDocs, and won the Best Atlantic Documentary Award at the Atlantic International Film Festival 2024. It also won the Best Film and Best Director at LatinArte Media Arts Festival 2024 and was nominated for the DGC Jean-Marc Vallee Discovery Award in 2024.
Proposed or Confirmed Talent:
Cast Confirmed: Camila Arteche (Daniela) and Mark O'Brien (Keith)
List names of confirmed partners:
Telefilm Canada (Confirmed Production Financing). A Newfoundland-Ontario co-production
What is this project seeking?
Financing, Distribution, Sales Agent
Logline:
After giving birth to a baby that isn't her husband's, a Cuban woman married to a Newfoundlander must reclaim her independence in a land the feels nothing like home.
Synopsis:
Daniela, a Cuban woman, arrives in St. John’s, Newfoundland, pregnant and married to Keith, a local businessman. Soon after, she goes into premature labor and meets Renata, a kind nurse who supports her through the difficult birth. When the baby is born, it is clear that she looks nothing like Keith. Keith initially rationalizes it, but pressured by his meddling mother Toby, he ends up confronting Daniela. Regretful, Daniela admits the baby is the result of a one-night stand during a period when Keith had stopped responding to her messages. Though initially furious, Keith confesses his own infidelity while they were waiting for immigration paperwork. Bounded by guilt, hope, and the shared desire to have a family, the couple decides to give their marriage another chance.
Five years later, the couple is still together, now living with Toby, while she waits for a spot in a home care. They haven’t visited Cuba in a few years, and Daniela misses home terribly. One day, they run into Renata, who is now retired and running a small farm. Renata needs a helper, and Daniela, craving independence, offers to work for her. Keith dismisses the idea, and Daniela angrily pushes back against his controlling behavior. Keith attempts to reconcile by promising they’ll visit Cuba soon, but their travel prospects are derailed when Luna causes an accident that leaves Toby unable to fend for herself. Feeling more trapped than ever, Daniela decides to flee to Cuba with Luna, but the airline denies boarding, citing the lack of a father’s consent. Cornered, Daniela seeks refuge with Renata on her farm. Keith tracks her phone and shows up, begging her to return home. Daniela stands her ground and asks Renata to shield Luna in the barn, where she keeps rescued goslings that can't survive in the wild. Frustrated, Keith storms into the barn to take Luna, which causes the birds to flee.
Desperate to save his marriage, Keith tries to buy tickets to Cuba, but Daniela insists they must separate. She only asks his permission to take Luna to Cuba. Keith, who adores Luna, says that they either travel as a family or Luna doesn’t travel at all. Daniela stands firm in her decision, and Keith finally leaves. As Daniela comes to terms with the fact that she might never return to her homeland, she asks the universe for a sign that everything will be okay. Suddenly, one of Renata’s geese returns and lands quietly on the windowsill.
Contact Information: lauren@clique-pictures.com
