Director’s and Producer’s Notes

Saint Arcadia is a relentless 10-minute short film that plunges into the depths of trauma and the fight to overcome life’s darkest obstacles. The story follows Arcadia, a young woman looking for a quick cash grab — an experimental drug trial that promises another fleeting high to numb her reality — spirals into a harrowing journey where past and present violently collide. As Arcadia is thrust into a warped state of time and space, she’s forced to confront buried memories and fight for her very survival.

Aleks partnered with writer, director, and lead actor Domino Martinez to bring this deeply personal, almost biographical story to the screen. Together, they crafted a claustrophobic, fast-paced film that mirrors the chaos of Arcadia’s mind. Aleks’ contributions spanned every stage of production — from securing locations and assembling a trusted crew to guiding the edit through countless revisions — ensuring the final film captured both the rawness of Dom’s story and the cinematic intensity it demanded.

Saint Arcadia will soon hit the festival circuit, bringing audiences face-to-face with a visceral exploration of trauma, resilience, and the power of confronting the past.