I Loss of Control
II Paranoia
III ANGER
IV FEAR
V DESTRUCTION

Three friends are torn apart after getting lost on a wintry road trip through a seemingly endless poisonous forest - a forest that is home to the dark and the devoted.

Darkfruit is a five-part roadmap that outlines the near formulaic sensitivity within human nature. It is a fantastical horror that dissects the intoxicating abilities of paranoia, fear, anxiety, and subconscious priming. Part experimental, part psychological thriller, it shows how under the right circumstances, a little fear-mongering and the power of the mind can lead anyone - even the most normal group of friends - to unexpected, disastrous consequences.

ZAZIE BEETZ

TESS Harrison

DAVID RYSDAHL

Written and directed by

Maria Wilson

produced by

Maria Wilson, Tess Elliot, Hannah Whitney

Executive Producers

Paulina Bendaña, Sam Nelson Harris, Tom & Patty Whitney

Original music by

Aaron Shuman

Cinematography by

Seamus Mulligan-Ferry

edited by

Dave Schachter

Currently in post-production, Maria's second short film is a fantastical horror that examines the intoxicating power of fear, and the terrifying consequences of letting it take control.

Darkfruit was shot in early 2017, alongside two other short films by co-producers Tess Harrison and Hannah Whitney. It's the second time these filmmakers have teamed up to co-produce three independent short films that are all shot in the same location, with the same crew - a collaborative project dubbed "The Lake Shorts."

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Paranoia behaviors.

Fear of the unknown.

Subconscious priming.

Anxiety intoxication.

Though they may not be described in these words, hardly a day passes where we don’t engage in, read about in the news, or personally witness these four elements. The irrational, prejudiced, surprising, and sometimes undeservedly violent events that are often defended with statements like: “Well I thought i saw... Well I thought they were going to... Well I had heard that... Well i was just SO scared...”

It’s easy to judge, but it’s hard to admit that you are susceptible to the same dramas and traumas. That your thoughts are impressionable. That your mind is terribly imaginative. That fear is intoxicating. That life is full of random events. That the more you ignore what lies deep down, the more damage you may cause when it comes to the surface.

I Loss of Control

II Paranoia

III ANGER

IV FEAR

V DESTRUCTION