Born in the Maelstrom Poster

Born in the Maelstrom 2017

★ 5.01 votes28 min📅 2017-10-05

In "Born in the Maelstrom (2017)", first-time feature director Meryam Joobeur crafts a haunting short drama that immerses viewers in the restless mind of an 18-year-old biracial girl named Rebecca.

Director: Meryam Joobeur

Cast

Sasha Lane
Sasha Lane
Rebecca
Karen Glave
Karen Glave
Venus
Sam Ashe Arnold
Sam Ashe Arnold
Tobey
Hasani Freeman
Hasani Freeman
Tom
Rose Langlois
Sarah
Dawn Ford
Dawn Ford
Choir Leader
Nadine Jean
Nadine Jean
Piano player
Marie-Ève Frenière
Sarah's Mom

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Born in the Maelstrom (2017) about?

The film follows Rebecca, an 18-year-old biracial girl who escapes into a surreal world shaped by her mother's painful past. As she searches for freedom, she confronts the barriers of identity and belonging that bind her.

Who directed Born in the Maelstrom?

Meryam Joobeur makes her feature debut with this striking short drama, bringing a bold visual and emotional perspective to the story.

Who stars in Born in the Maelstrom?

The film features Sasha Lane in a powerful lead role, alongside Karen Glave, Sam Ashe Arnold, Hasani Freeman, and Rose Langlois.

Is Born in the Maelstrom (2017) worth watching?

With its gripping themes and atmospheric storytelling, this short drama offers a unique and thought-provoking experience. Though unrated, its emotional depth and artistic vision make it compelling for fans of character-driven films.

How long is Born in the Maelstrom?

The runtime is 28 minutes.

Born in the Maelstrom (2017) — A Haunting Short Drama About Identity and Trauma

In "Born in the Maelstrom (2017)", first-time feature director Meryam Joobeur crafts a haunting short drama that immerses viewers in the restless mind of an 18-year-old biracial girl named Rebecca. Trapped in a surreal dreamscape woven from her Black mother's unresolved traumas, she struggles to break free from the weight of a past that feels both alien and inescapable. The film blends raw emotional intensity with hypnotic visuals, painting a portrait of identity, belonging, and the search for self outside the shadows of history.

Starring rising talent Sasha Lane alongside Karen Glave and Sam Ashe Arnold, this 28-minute drama unfolds like a fever dream—visceral, poetic, and deeply personal. It explores themes of race, heritage, and generational pain, asking what it means to forge your own path when your roots pull you in different directions. The atmosphere is thick with longing and quiet desperation, making "Born in the Maelstrom" a quietly unforgettable experience.