A School of Cinematic Arts senior thesis directed, written & edited by Cookie Estés
Synopsis Isa is forced to confront complex anticipatory grief as its manifestation, her hair trimmings, threaten to strangle her. Hair and grief are alike in that way, demanding to be acknowledged in order to be let go. This short horror film is a commentary on Latinx beauty standards – especially ones that concern women's hair and are perpetuated by mothers.
poster by Kimia Fariborz
original music by Lambia
“You could say the beauty standards tied to long hair in Latine cultures are suffocating. Estés perfectly depicts this in Split Ends. ”
“Such a rich text and such a clear, decisive vision for how to deliver it.”
“Thematically confident from the first frame to the last. Equal parts horrifying and heartbreaking.”