MOTH(ER)

Logline: When Ben emerges from his cocoon on the forest floor, a mysterious older woman, Emma, tries to show him the meaning of the empty landscape they inhabit. Synopsis: The story begins with Ben, our main protagonist, emerging from a cocoon on the forest floor. He is in awe of the world around him. He is approached by a woman, Emma. She has strange markings on her face and dirt on her skin. She takes his hand and leads him away into the forest. As Emma shows Ben the surrounding landscape, he begins to feel at home with her. She even copies the pattern she has on her face onto his. They go to many places, including the beach and the mountains. Emma is trying to show Ben all that she knows about the world. However, Ben begins to question if it is enough for him. As they lie sleeping together one night, Ben awakens and leaves Emma alone in the forest. Emma wakes up, confused. Ben wanders through the forest, asking himself what his purpose is. When Emma eventually finds him, he confronts her, and she reveals that the only meaning she has found in her life is him. Ben tells her that he needs to find his own purpose, though, and walks away. As he spends more time alone, he realises that “In finding a purpose, we are only trying to find order where there is none.” After a while alone, he comes upon something unexpected- Another cocoon. He wants to leave, but can’t look away as it begins to open. A woman, Hannah, crawls out of it, looking bewildered. Ben walks towards her, and takes her hand.