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THE STORY

When a global pandemic hits, JANE (early 30s), a prominent social media travel influencer with an insatiable wanderlust, and her husband JOHN (late 30s), a haughty plastic surgeon, are forced to downsize into a small country home. As Jane struggles to adjust to their new lifestyle, her mental health begins to deteriorate, prompting her to seek help. Despite her best efforts, Jane receives dismissal and shaming from both her husband and male physician, DR. GILMAN (60s). As she continues to spiral, Jane becomes entranced by the contentious yellow wallpaper decorating her home office, her loathing of the pattern progressing into an obsession and belief that a mysterious woman is trapped within the paper—and only she can free her.

A modern adaptation of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s, 1892, renowned short story, The Yellow Wallpaper, the short psychological thriller, Papered Walls, explores the misogynistic biases surrounding women and mental health that still exist in today’s society.

The Crew

Click to read more about our talented crew members!

Samantha van der Bent

Director/Producer>>
I was first introduced to the story The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman as a teenager when the production company I was acting in was making a playwright adaptation. I instantly loved the story! Then in my 3rd year of my program, I asked one of our writers, Candice, if she was interested in writing an adaptation. She loved the story too and before I knew it, my final year of school rolled around and my pitch was picked to be one of the few to be filmed. I am so happy to have the opportunity to share a classic story about mental health in such a time as this. The confines of the pandemic can be damaging to our mental health and making Papered Walls is an expression of that grief and an illustration of the misogynistic bias towards women and mental health that still exist today. Finally, I am so blessed to have such an amazingly talented and creative crew to help bring this story to life. There’s no other way I’d rather spend my time during a global pandemic than making a feminist film with my friends and colleagues.

Brianna Raakman

Producer/Transmedia>>

The script is great, and the adaptation is so timely. I'm exicted to be a part of sharing this important message and work along side such talented people.

Bernice Chu

Re-Recording Mixer>>

When I first read the script, the story really captivated me from a sound perspective because I already imagined what the sounds and final results could sound like. I knew this film would require lots of sound effects to tell the story effectively so I am collaborating with Neal, the supervising sound editor, to create its unique aural world. The amount of sound effects that will be used will definitely make the mixing more complex but I’m excited to blend all the sounds together.

Bailey Shakyaver

Picture Editor>>

Jordan Croome

2nd AC>>

After reading this script, I immediately fell in love with it! It was an interesting story that I wanted to be a part of. Being a part of the camera crew for this production and supporting Amanda with her choices of creating an amazing scene was, to me, an amazing opportunity. I am greatly appreciated to be working with everyone and our director, Samantha. In the end, this is an effective story that brings our attention to mental health and how important it is for us to be aware of it.

Zacky Makeen

Post Sound

Sofia Capista

Production Designer>>

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper” is one of my favorite short stories, so I knew that I wanted to be a part of this production in one way or another. It’s been an intriguing process to adapt the original visuals to a more modern day version and I’m looking forward to seeing how the production design and the visual effects work together to strengthen the visceral and honest representation of mental health that the original and adapted pieces of writing accomplish.

Neal Shakyaver

Sound Recordist

Olivia Chafe

Writer

Candice Dixon

Writer

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JANE

Jane is a young travel blogger, who's life takes her to far of places filled with adventure. But when a pandemic struck the world, her life of luxury was stripped away and she was forced to stay home with no one but her patronizing husband and the woman watching her through the wallpaper.

Telling Stories about Mental

Health

Samantha van der Bent is a directing student from Sheridan College. She has directed documentaries such as Boundless Love and Agriculture and this is her first Narrative Short. The film has a heavy focus on mental health. Here is what she had to say about it.

What is Papered Walls About?

"Papered Walls is a modern adaptation of “The Yellow Wallpaper” which is a renowned short story. It is about a woman who is treated for her mental illness with “the resting cure” and she eventually sees someone in the wallpaper and tries to set her free. The wallpaper this modern adaptation brings us into COVID times. I’m sure many people can relate to being stuck in their homes and not getting the help that they need. This story is a Psychological Thriller that explores women's mental health and the misogynistic biases against women."

What is your vision for this film?

"My vision for the really came from my love for psychological thrillers first of all, so this film is a psychological thriller. What I love about psychological thrillers is that is very personal and it brings you inside the mind of a person who is not doing well, mostly who needs help. For the story, I wanted to bring the audience inside the mind of the character so that they experience what she's experiencing."

Why would I want to watch this film?

"I think this is a film many people can relate to because we are all stuck at home right now. Some of us aren't doing well with that so I want to highlight the struggles that people are having in their Mental Health and really create a dialogue on the help that we are receiving and the help we’re being denied."

What Is the main takeaway you hope people get after watching?

"For this film, I really wanted to highlight the damages the pandemic has had on women and their mental health. Characters that surround [Jane] are people who gaslight her, who don't believe her, and this is a very common thing especially during the pandemic when people are forced to be in their house with people who may not support them and may not see them or understand them for what they're really going through. This film shows the horror of those consequences, the way that people are treating people with mental illness. I wanted this to be a voice for that."

How does your film showcase the reality of mental illness rather than glorifying it?

"This film doesn't really have a happy ending. It is a psychological Thriller, it is in the horror genre so, this film is meant to be kind of like a yell to society and to the people who are silencing mental health issues. I would say to the people who are experiencing mental health issues during this time to reach out and to find the people who will support you and will help you on this way because there are people out there and there are resources and we would love to give that to you and not have the same ending our character does."

Where can we see this film?

"When the film is complete, it is going to go into festivals. Probably horror, suspense, thriller festivals. This film it's meant to be a piece that says “Hey! This is a problem, we need to be looking at this.” I hope that you take something away from the story and I hope you just enjoy we have to give you."