Award-winning Norwegian writer-director Kristoffer Borgli has released his latest short film, which was a part of the official selection at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Titled Former Cult Member Hears Music for the First Time, the premise is fairly straight forward, as the picture centers around a girl by the name of Kate who was raised in a cult.
The film picks up as Kate has escaped her abusive family and is about to partake in a journalistic experiment allowing her to hear music for the first time ever. Upon being isolated from the world at birth, Kate has missed out on many of life's pleasures, big and small, including the arts. Here, however, she is serenaded by an iconic piece, Nocturne No. 4, from late 19th century French composer Gabriel Fauré.
Starring Kate Adams, Alex Warren, Kailee McGee, Jordan Raf, and Shawn Law, Former Cult Member Hears Music for the First Time finds Borgli exploring the disconnect that comes with being bombarded by music, art, connection, and experiences on a daily basis. “Don’t take for granted the beauty and effect of art and music,” he says.
The short was previously shown at France's Clermont-Ferrand, the world’s biggest short film festival, and again, was selected for this year's Sundance Film Festival. Borgli has previously shown short and long format films at Sundance, SXSW, and AFI Fest, among others.
Press play above to watch Kristoffer Borgli's Former Cult Member Hears Music for the First Time.
