Somewhere You Feel Free
Somewhere You Feel Free draws from a true story, capturing the raw essence of adventure, freedom, and the constraints women face when these elements intertwine.
The narrative centers on Martina, an adventurous and thrill-seeking woman who chooses to commemorate her 30th birthday with a day-long hiking expedition alongside her mother, Eve and their dog Cuco. Armed with all her essential training gear, Martina is resolute in using this hike as preparation for her inaugural solo hiking venture on the Pacific North Trail—a prospect that doesn't particularly excite Eve.
Carrying the weight of her lifelong journey as a woman in a patriarchal world, Eve keenly senses an imminent threat to Martina's safety due to her adventurous spirit. In an unintended effort to suppress her daughter's natural curiosity about the world, Eve's plan backfires when Martina, eager to defy her mother's expectations, dares her to skinny dip in a secluded spring on the outskirts of Austin, Texas. This daring act unveils an untamed side of Eve. The moment sparks newfound depth in their relationship, fostering a sense of mutual acceptance and triggering personal growth for both Eve and Martina, revealing unexplored aspects of themselves.
Now sitting by the bank of this beautiful spring, the freedom Martina and Eve stumbled upon by the secluded spring seems unbreakable.
Both in their underwear, Eve drifts into a gentle slumber, while Martina immerses herself in the pages of her book. However, the serenity fractures as an unassuming figure invades their isolated haven.The man's deliberate gaze at Martina, devoid of words yet laden with intent, sends an unsettling shiver down her spine. He exits the spring without a word, leaving an eerie void in his wake, amplifying the desolation enveloping Martina and Eve. Martina, cautious not to alarm her unaware mother Eve about the man's presence, subtly wakes her up and encourages her to gather their belongings and depart from the secluded spot by the spring after the man quietly leaves. Martina's protective instincts prompt her to maintain their peace without causing unnecessary worry for Eve.
The man, accompanied by two others who seem to be his adult sons, returns to the spring, amplifying the tension between the two groups. Eve and Martina swiftly gather their belongings, cautious and watchful as the situation continues to unfold. The familial connection among the three men adds an unexpected layer to the escalating scenario. As Cuco, a stranger to men, darts toward the trio, Martina instinctively trails behind, her protective instincts flaring. Leaning down to retrieve the pup, Martina suddenly realizes she is encircled, enveloped by the looming presence of the three men. Her heart races as the situation escalates, a sense of vulnerability tightening its grip around her.
Eve and Martina find themselves in imminent danger, trapped by three menacing men with ill intentions and no means of escape or aid. Just as desperation mounts, a couple of hikers arrive at the secluded spring, interrupting the men's nefarious plans. Despite their interference, the men withdraw without repercussions, their intentions unchanged, likely to attempt such a dubious act again.
Somewhere You Feel Free" serves as a reflection on the troubling messages ingrained in individuals of different genders within a patriarchal society, highlighting the repercussions stemming from these teachings. It explores how societal norms and expectations can shape one's sense of freedom and identity, shedding light on the complexities and consequences of these gender-based ideologies.
About the director:
Sarah Joy Byington is an actor, director, and screenwriter based in Austin, TX, since her parents moved here in 1993. Beginning her career as an actor, her love for filmmaking quickly expanded and she challenged herself to learn all facets of production. Sarah’s career as a director kicked off when her short “Payday” won semi-finalist in the final year of Dorito’s Crash the Super Bowl competition. After she gave birth to her first child, she discovered her passion for writing when she received recognition for her first feature screenplay, Let Me Do Right By You, which was accepted into festivals such as BlueCat, Scriptapalooza, La Femme Intl Festival, and Oscar-qualifying Rhode Island Intl Film Festival. Since then she has directed a few short films, including Labor+Justice which premiered at Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts in 2023.
Sarah continues to write, with many ideas waiting to find their moment. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband and film editor, Sam Butler and their two kids.
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