In 2009 a group of independent filmmakers embarked upon an epic challenge: to create a work that reflects and relates to those pieces of art that had influenced their individual and collective lives. A piece that would force the audience to come face to face with violence, the motivating factors behind it and the havoc it reeks on both the onscreen characters as well as the audience engaging with the film. Further complicated by a tight shooting schedule and “shoe-string” budget, the crew emerged with a film bigger than any of them had ever imagined.

Birth of Separation follows the daily happenings of Elizabeth; a pregnant housewife, preparing to welcome her second child into the world. A knock at the door breaks the morning monotony. A young man, Jerome, greets her at the doorstep. His voice drips with despair as he clutches a stack of missing persons posters. Feeling an affinity for the young man, Elizabeth invites him in for a cup of coffee.

Elizabeth asks of the radiant young boy on the flier but the conversation flips and Elizabeth’s family life comes into question. Unnerved by his candor, Elizabeth asks Jerome to leave. When the conversation turns uncomfortable for Elizabeth, Jerome manipulates his way further into the home, which allows him to indulge in violence and fear. Holding Elizabeth captive, Jerome only has one request, to become better acquainted. Through a series of questions Jerome exacts meaning in his otherwise questionable existence and brings deep seeded secrets into light.

Birth of Separation was written and directed by newcomer, Louis Mansfield and produced by Dennis Hanley and Andrew P. Aguilar. The film features gripping, captivating performances by Philadelphia locals Steve Saturn and Ashley Rebekah Faulkner (Best Ribs in Town). The film’s cinematography was crafted by Philadelphia’s own Adrian Sierkowski, and the film’s original score composed by Jay Wasley.

The film is set to premier this Thursday, June 17th at the historic Ritz Bourse Theater in Philadelphia, PA. For anyone local interested in attending, tickets can be purchased via ticketleap.  For those of you who can't make it out, be sure to check out the film's official website for trailiers, photos, bios and more (and appreciate the exploitative genius of its domain name!).