A restrained, emotionally driven short film following a man in therapy as childhood trauma resurfaces through fragmented memories — revealing how silence becomes survival, and how healing begins when it is finally released.
[ ABOUT THE FILM ]
PREMISE —
A young man, Damian, confronts the unspoken wounds of his childhood in a therapy session.
Through fragmented flashbacks of domestic violence, bullying, emotional neglect, and abuse, he journeys from silence to reclaiming his voice and identity.
GENRE —
A psychological drama/coming-of-age (adult lens) centering on inner conflict, therapy as a framing device, and the emotional aftermath of trauma.
While heavy, the story arcs toward empowerment, resilience, and hope.
SYNOPOSIS —
Damian sits across from his therapist, weighed down by memories he has carried in silence for decades.Each breath he takes unravels a new fragment of the past. Nights shadowed by domestic violence, the sting of fists in back alleys, the suffocating quiet of the dinner table, and the betrayal of a trusted family friend.
These moments collide and overlap, not as a neat sequence, but as a fractured mosaic of a boy who learned early that invisibility was the safest way to survive.
Through therapy, Damian is invited to confront what he has long buried. As his voice cracks open, memory and present intertwine, revealing that the shame he carried was never his to hold.
By the end, Damian does not erase his past, he integrates it. He reclaims his life, accepting what was, and embracing who he is becoming.
CORE THEME —
Silence vs. Communication – the cost of words unspoken.
Generational Cycles – how trauma echoes when healing doesn’t happen.
Resilience & Self-Definition – moving from victimhood to agency.
Forgiveness & Integration – releasing blame while embracing truth.
[ About The Writer & Director ]
Roberto Cordero is a Phoenix-based filmmaker, photographer, and creative director making his narrative directorial debut with SOLTAR.
For over a decade, Roberto has used visual storytelling to capture real human experiences through documentary, commercial, and community-driven work. While his career has largely focused on telling the stories of others, SOLTAR marks the first time he has turned the lens inward.
Inspired by his own experiences navigating childhood trauma, emotional healing, and the transformative power of therapy, SOLTAR is an intensely personal project born from years of reflection, vulnerability, and self-discovery. The film explores the courage it takes to confront the wounds we carry, the stories we tell ourselves, and the possibility of finding freedom through healing.
As both writer and director, Roberto approaches this project with a deep commitment to authenticity. His goal is not only to create a compelling film, but to spark conversations around mental health, emotional resilience, and the healing journeys that often happen behind closed doors.
HELP BRING A STORY TO LIFE.
SOLTAR is an independent short film being brought to life through the support of a community that believes in the power of storytelling. At its core, this project is about healing, vulnerability, and finding the courage to confront the parts of ourselves we often keep hidden.
If SOLTAR speaks to you, I invite you to become part of this journey. Together, we can create something meaningful—something that has the potential to spark conversations, inspire healing, and remind people that there is strength in letting go.
Thank you for believing in this story.
[ Get in Touch ]
Thank you for taking the time to learn about SOLTAR.
This film is being created independently and from the heart. What began as a deeply personal story has grown into a project that aims to create meaningful conversations around healing, vulnerability, and the human experience.
Whether you're interested in supporting the film financially, partnering as a sponsor, contributing your talents, or simply learning more about the project, I would love to connect with you.