A young woman buried in ashes, anchored to the ground, amidst a world fragmented into lifeless dust.

It was this single visual that came across director, mind in 2016, captivated my imagination, and ultimately became the catalyst for “Pearl Rising.”

As I began exploring this idea further, I was profoundly influenced by the devastating hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and other natural disasters that seemed to grow in frequency each year. It brought me face to face with the distinct possibility of Earth's annihilation--all as a direct result of human actions. Yet regrettably, there wasn't a substantial change in our society's everyday behavior to combat this potential future. It was within this realization that the thought of resetting the story of human life, our story, to the beginning of time came to mind. This prospect seemed both frightening, yet strangely peaceful at the same time, a duality that came to mirror the opposing perspectives of the film's characters, Pearl and Mother Earth, and the visual environment of the film itself.

Ultimately, the story aims to provoke a vital question: Are we sacrificing our planet's future by failing to initiate change and adopt more responsible behaviors?

With this film, I hope to raise awareness about our self-destructive habits, shed light on the peril we pose to our planet, and inspire others to adopt more sustainable practices.

-- Linda Dahlem, Writer & Director, Pearl Rising

The artistic approach to "Pearl Rising" can be distilled into three main components: Poetry, Dance, and Visual Effects

Spoken Word Poetry 

The narrative of "Pearl Rising" is grounded in spoken word poetry that is delivered by the film's main characters and dueling perspectives, Pearl and Mother Earth. The poem will be experienced as a voiceover within the film, while the characters of Pearl and Mother Earth will illustrate their battling visions of Earth's future through dance and choreography.

Performance Art 

I intend to design a performance with both characters, in collaboration with a choreographer, that moves with the spoken words and directs the rhythm of the film. Body language and movement evoke and immerse the audience in a shared emotional experience of a world in pieces. We will also embark on collaborations with a music composer and sound designer to create a captivating and otherworldly experience.

Visual Effects

We are excited to embrace cutting-edge technology in the film industry by filming on a volume stage. Doing this will not only elevate the space and the performance for the artists, but also give us the opportunity to change the environment in real time. It also allows us to start production before filming begins by crafting environmental assets to evoke the sensation of being in an unknown holy realm that now is formed by ashes.

We stand on the precipice of transforming the story of "Pearl Rising" from concept to reality, armed with a wealth of ideas and a talented team, but we cannot fully realize this monumental project without your help.

Currently, we are in the pre-production phase and we aim to move into production by May 2024. To bring this story to life and begin shooting, we must raise $25,000. These funds will enable us to secure essential elements such as renting the volume stage, renting our camera and lighting equipment, fairly compensating our cast and crew, creating the characters' intricate costumes, their striking hair & makeup looks, and the materials to build our other-worldly, real-life set that seamlessly flows into the virtual environment. Moreover, your contribution will ensure that we can shoot safely, feed our cast and crew on set, and provide transportation.

You can support "Pearl Rising" by selecting a donation amount here and receiving a tax write-off for your contribution. All donors will be eligible to receive the perk listed below that correspond to your donation amount, in addition to any lower amount perks.

However, we understand that supporting the film financially may not be an option for everyone, but if our story speaks to you, you can help us by spreading the word!

Follow us @pearlrisingshortfilm on Instagram and Facebook, and share this campaign with your family, friends, and network!

We are incredibly grateful for all your support!

Much Love, 

the Pearl Rising Team