The Women in My Family
“On a blistering day in 1871, a young Mexican girl witnesses the death of her family… and her birth as a killer.”
A tarnished gold ring, a silver coin, and a brass button… The devil’s in the details. Sometimes, it’s the little things that cause the most damage, and make or break a master plan. As for writers: details make a story breathe. Rendered in full richness, they can mean everything.
In writer and filmmaker Kirk White’s western, The Women in My Family, details are a matter of life and death. At least, for young Ofelia (8). It’s 1871 in Nogales, Arizona. Ofelia’s family farm is invaded by two outlaws, in search of her father. Her father flees, leaving behind a gold ring he hopes will buy Mother, Ofelia, and 10 year old brother Alejandro precious time. Instead, Mother hands the ring to Alejandro and forces the children to hide under a bed. Along with strict instructions to stay put. Then she departs to bargain with the two intuders, savage monsters named Hawk and Wolf.
But Alejandro has a plan of his own; and a silver coin he has found. Arguing with Ofelia, he insists he can save the family, using the ring and coin as barter. He races out to help Mother, but it’s too late. Mother and Alejandro are attacked and killed – in brutal, ugly ways. Armed with a kitchen knife, Ofelia attempts to intervene. One of the deranged creatures turns on the girl. His boot spur slashes her face, and she drops next to her dead brother. She awakes later – the only survivor. And discovers a brass button ripped from Hawk’s coat in Alejandro’s now cold hand.
Ten years later, a changed Ofelia will use the ring, the coin, and brass button to exact her impassioned revenge…
For filmmakers dedicated to the best in storytelling, TWIMF provides a treasure trove of vivid detail: a desert location in the old west, two hideous intruders, three round, symbolic objects. Even the jagged scar stretching from Ofelia’s mouth to her ear provides potential for gorgeous cinematography. The devil is certainly present in these details. And for this purpose, he’s quite welcome.
Any director who enjoys the challenge of elevated genres is in for a treat with TWIMF. It’s a riveting combination of revenge story/western in sheep’s – er- hawk’s and wolf’s clothing.
About the Writer: Kirk White is an independent film maker, web sen”sation” and figure of note in the world of global logistics. He is currently in pre-production on his second feature, The Soul Garden, which will basically be the art-house version of Re-Animator. Kirk can be emailed at kirkwhitewrites “AT” gmail!!
Pages: 5
Budget: Moderate. A stand-in for a western town. Father, Mother, Alejandro, Ofelia, Hawk, Wolf and Blacksmith characters will need appropriate 1871/1881 time-period clothing.
About the Reviewer: California über reader/reviewer KP Mackie is working hard on her animated feature. KP’s work is available at moviepoet.com!
CONTACT KIRK AT KIRKWHITEWRITES “AT” GMAIL FOR THE SCRIPT!
FOR YET MORE SCRIPTS AVAILABLE FOR PRODUCTION:
PLEASE SEARCH SCRIPTREVOLUTION.COM!
All screenplays are copyrighted to their respective authors. All rights reserved.
The screenplays may not be used without the expressed written permission of the author.