: Alicia Oberle Farmer wrote and directed the film as a tribute to her son's real-life resilience during a two-year battle with cancer in his teens.
: Much of Kai's solace is found in botany, his connection with animals (specifically owls), and the mountains of Utah where the film was partially shot. Production and Reception Rite of the Shaman
: Continuing to push loved ones away and spreading the negativity and hurt he feels inside. : Alicia Oberle Farmer wrote and directed the
As Kai descends into a spiral of depression and isolation, he is faced with a pivotal choice: As Kai descends into a spiral of depression
The story follows Kai, a mute high school student who is struggling to navigate the overwhelming pressures of his daily life. Kai serves as the primary caregiver for his terminally ill mother while mourning the loss of his father and his grandfather—a shaman and owl trainer who left a significant spiritual legacy.
: Reviews are mixed; some critics from Film Threat praised it as an "engaging, dramatic look at the obstacles life throws our way," while others found the acting and script unpolished or "amateurish."