Anima (2003 film)

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Anima is a 2003 short film written and directed by Erika Grediaga. Produced by the American Film Institute (AFI), it runs 26 minutes and premiered on December 5, 2003. The film stars Claudia Soberón as Angelica, with Katira Santiago as Sister Luciana and a supporting cast that includes Carol Abney, Dennis Deal, Rick Simon, and Melodee Spevack. The music is by Steven Gutheinz.

The story draws on legends about monastic life in colonial Latin America, set in the 16th century in Nueva España as the Catholic Church expands and new monasteries rise. The holy places face threats from earthquakes and other dangers, and the faithful deepen their faith in response. About 100 years later, poverty forces Angelica to enter God’s service, but she is rebellious and longs to escape the convent. She is confined to her cell and haunted by the ghost of Sister Luciana, a nun entombed in the walls for a century. The ghost asks Angelica to free her soul, which would require convincing the other nuns to leave the cloister and pray outside—something forbidden by the rules.

Anima means Soul in Latin. The film was made at AFI Conservatory as part of an MFA program, with Erika Grediaga as an AFI Directing Fellow and a team of AFI fellows contributing to production.