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Seeking Rapture
TYPE: Narrative Feature
GENRE: Drama
STATUS: Pre-Production
LOGLINE
A lonely 16-year-old girl falls in love with an older man who claims to hear the voice of God, shaping herself into his perfect woman—no matter the cost.
SYNOPSIS
A lonely 16-year-old girl falls for a man who claims he hears the voice of God. Drawn into a relationship built on faith, love, and control, she begins to unravel, facing a painful reckoning with everything she’s been taught to believe. A haunting exploration of agency, purity, and spiritual manipulation.
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
As the writer and director, Seeking Rapture from a deeply personal place, drawing from my experiences growing up in conservative religious communities in the rural South. The film is not simply a story of a girl in love; it is a dissection of the systems that teach young women to equate their worth with submission. Through Jackie’s eyes, we explore how these belief systems, often masked as protective, can diminish a young woman's agency, leaving her trapped in a relationship that threatens to erase her sense of self. This isn’t just about a romantic relationship; it’s about the broader societal frameworks that shape the way women are taught to view themselves. Tonally, Seeking Rapture is a dreamlike yet raw exploration of the psychological and spiritual pressure faced by young women, particularly in religious environments where older men are revered as spiritual guides, and girls are praised for their modesty and submission. The film challenges the traditional narrative of the older man-younger girl dynamic by shifting the focus to the internal world of Jackie. As she tries to make sense of the emotional, spiritual, and psychological turmoil she faces, the film offers a deeply personal perspective, allowing the audience to experience her journey not as outsiders, but as someone caught in the tension between belief, love, and personal autonomy. The narrative also serves as an urgent conversation about the broader cultural and societal issues surrounding control, purity, and the manipulation of young women. In a time when the mistreatment of women in religious and conservative settings is often unaddressed or morally justified, Seeking Rapture seeks to illuminate the quiet ways in which women are conditioned to submit, sometimes without even realizing it. The film does not offer easy answers but instead presents a space for conversation about how these systems affect young women’s relationships, identities, and sense of self-worth. Ultimately, Seeking Rapture is a film that encourages deeper reflection on the complexities of power, purity, and love. By centering Jackie’s personal journey, it moves beyond judgment or condemnation, instead offering a nuanced exploration of the psychological, emotional, and spiritual struggles young women face in restrictive environments. The film invites viewers to question the systems that shape their lives and challenge the narratives that limit their agency, fostering a broader, more inclusive conversation about the treatment of young women in our society. It is a film that calls for empathy and deeper understanding.
KEY CREW
Maddie Ragan - Writer, Director, Producer
Maddie Ragan is an American writer, director, and producer whose work explores the human condition through psychologically complex storytelling. Her award-winning short films 11:34 and A Fleeting Moment have been recognized at festivals, and her upcoming feature, Seeking Rapture, continues her exploration of intimate, emotionally charged narratives. In the summer of 2024, Maddie directed her first feature film, There Should Be Flowers, a deeply emotional exploration of human relationships and personal growth. The film will begin its festival run in 2026. Known for her collaborative and intuitive approach, she works closely with actors to create raw, authentic performances, believing there is no place she would rather be than on set, bringing stories to life.
Yumna Jane - Producer
Yumna Jane is an Egyptian-American writer, actor, & producer with a focus on providing narratives that represent POC, queer, and multicultural youths. She has been acting and working on sets since she was 15, in films such as Slant Streets (2020), The World Drops Dead (2022), Oxygen (2023), and There Should Be Flowers (2025).
Mario Martinez - Director of Photography
While sitting in the passenger seat of his grandfather’s pickup truck, Mario developed his storytelling abilities by listening to the family folklore of the land. His love of storytelling and curiosity about the camera led to his decision, when he was a teenager, to pursue filmmaking. He is a graduate from FSU MFA in cinematography program and works as a professional DP in Austin, TX.
Deepak Rauniyar - Advisor / consultant
Deepak Rauniyar is a distinguished Nepali director, writer, and producer, renowned for his contributions to international cinema. His debut feature, Highway (2012), made history as the first Nepali film to be showcased at a major international festival, premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival and later screening at the Locarno Film Festival. His subsequent film, White Sun (2016), received critical acclaim, winning the Best Asian Feature Film at the Singapore International Film Festival and earning recognition as one of "The 9 New Directors You Need to Watch" by The New York Times. Rauniyar's latest work, Pooja, Sir, is a complex thriller that delves into Nepal's contemporary socio-political landscape. Beyond filmmaking, he serves as an Associate Professor of the Practice in Film and Television at Boston University, where he continues to influence and mentor emerging talents in the industry.
Brandon Colvin - Advisor / consultant
Brandon Colvin is an American narrative filmmaker and Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism & Creative Media at the University of Alabama. He has written, directed, and produced four feature films: Frames (2012), Sabbatical (2014), A Dim Valley (2020), and The World Drops Dead (2025). His work is characterized by its exploration of complex themes and innovative storytelling techniques. Colvin's academic background includes a PhD in Film from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reflecting his deep commitment to both the practice and study of cinema.
Stefani Byrd - Advisor / consultant
Stefani Byrd’s art practice includes video, new media, and interactive technologies. Byrd’s early work addressed social justice issues in the form of interactive temporary public art installations that created role reversal, or "empathy training,” experiences for the audience. Her current work focuses on creating psychologically charged immersive media environments addressing topics such as digital feminism, gun violence, and how technology impacts empathy in digitally mediated spaces. Their practice aims to shed light on the complicated nature of communication and emotional fluency in a networked culture where imbalanced power structures continue to shape our interactions. Often her work confronts or undermines these systems by turning the tables on traditional power relationships.
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