This film was inspired by my dear friend Rachel; Whose journey I felt, not only needed to be shared, but celebrated.
Through intimate storytelling, archival footage, and symbolic visuals, we delve into this coming of age documentary; Shedding light on the stages of grief, the importance of friendship, and overcoming obstacles while staying true to your roots.
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At its core, r o o t e d is a reflection of the universal process of navigating the pain of loss while also celebrating the beauty of what remains. It explores the stages of grief, the strength it takes to heal, and how staying connected to your roots—your past, your family, your friendships—can be a source of immense strength while finding yourself through the most difficult of circumstances. Rachel's journey of grieving her late father speaks to the resilience within all of us, and is a story I felt was important to share.
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None of this would have been possible without the incredible team that helped bring this vision to life.
To my co-producer, Addi, I couldn’t have done it without you.
To the crew: Alex, Josh, Aleister, and Wesley—your talents and hard work shaped r o o t e d into the film it is today, and I am deeply grateful for each of you. Thank you to my professors who allowed me the artistic freedom to create something I could truly be proud of. To my supporting cast, Caroline and Brent - thank you for being such a pleasure to work with while supporting Rachel and this project.
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Rachel, thank you for sharing your story and trusting me with such a delicate and important part of who you are. Your vulnerability throughout this process was truly mesmerizing and heartfelt. For that, I cannot thank you enough.
I’d also like to thank my family and friends for their unwavering faith and supporting me every step along the way.
To those here for the first time, I hope this story resonates with you in ways you didn’t expect. Thank you for taking the time to join us on this journey. Enjoy the show.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Kayla A. Kuskevics

Director