About this Short Film
Isolated by Long COVID-related chronic illness, Christina accidentally summons Wilhelmina, a ghost from the medieval era. As the two women travel across modern-day New York City to find a magic portal back to Wilhelmina’s time, they realize that society hasn’t changed much.
Film Details
Country:
United States
Category:
International Short
Genre:
Drama
Festival Year:
2026
Filmmaker:
Anna Pakman
Film Transcript
Christina Garcia. Good Christina. Who the hell are you?
I am Willamina, the philanderer of York. Only because Willilamina the friendly was taken. A clerical error.
Oh no, no, no. I can't afford to get sick again. I carry not the plague, just a smidge of leprosy.
Worry not, I am but a spirit.
I must be hallucinating. You stood before the painting of my likeness and poof, here I am.
But why?
I only appear to the lonely.
And you are not lonely. I have lots of friends. See, my calendar is full.
Doctor. Doctor. Watch. Heated rivalry. Doctor. Odd. All of your friends are physicians.
Okay, fine. I'm a catless cat lady. Maybe I am a little lonely. I'm told I can be fun. I don't know you like that. You disappeared.
Hey, you summoned me, and I would like nothing more than to find my portal and go back to my famous mutton stew. It has been sitting on the coals for centuries. It would be a shame to waste a good stew.
What does your portal look like? Maybe I can help you find it.
You would do that? Your commune is very loud.
A self-propelled rail barrel. That man must live like a king. Yeah, I could so use one of those right now.
I bet zero. What does this zero feel like?
Sometimes it's like my head is cloudy, but my heart is racing. But mostly it feels like I'm being pushed to the bottom of the ocean with weights on my ankles. I used to train for marathons here.
What happened?
A pandemic started a few years ago.
Relatable.
The people in charge said that it was okay to move on. So I did, but then I got really sick. At first the doctor said that it was all in my head. Then they called it long co.
What about your village?
People like the idea of helping. They lose interest when you don't get better on their schedule. Dating's impossible. I had my dream job dancing on Broadway. I lost all that. In my day, they would let people get sick because they didn't want to hear the truth. Guess not much has changed.
Okay, I'm ready now. The portal.
Willamina, how did you— you know I told my villagers that the water and air were heavy with raw and we must close the gates, but the merchants wanted to feast. So much for simpler times, huh? They said I had made the plague my whole personality and threw me in the river.
I understand. It's nice to finally meet someone who does.
Same.
Well, I shall cease to trouble you. Once I cross, I can't return.
Willamina, wait. What if you stayed? I could use a kindred spirit, even if it is for another dark age. You know, I spent centuries looking for my past when maybe I should have been searching for my future instead. Maybe you can teach me to make that mutton stew of yours. Entire kingdoms have fallen trying to get the recipe.
I have never been a hard and I've had my share of consequence. Oh my sh mystery for so long. My world One strong
Filmmaker
Anna Pakman is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Anna Pakman.
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1 comment
So proud