THE STORY

Wes is a painter who is preparing the final work of his collection, and Jamil is a nun looking after her mother. When a global haze returns, Wes develops amnesia, and he and Jamil are brought together at a 1-hour photo. Jamil is told that there is a mysterious lake whose water has the ability to return memories that have become undone. A determined Wes decides to embark on the journey, and Jamil hesitantly joins. She feels like it would take her further away from finding her mom.

On the open road, Jamil's car breaks down. They hike to find someone to give them a ride. They encounter a grey pickup on the side of the road. It's a fruit truck. The man is interested in the fact that Wes is a painter. Wes takes a photo of the man and promises to paint him. In exchange, the man gives them a ride.

That night, Jamil borrows a change of clothes the man had left from his wife, who disappeared in the Haze. As they ride, Jamil explains that she was hoping to find her mother, who forgot her. She doesn’t believe the waterfall will heal them; she only came along to not be alone. She tries to discourage him from continuing to The Fall. He decides to go anyway. He needs to know who the boy is; he feels connected to him. The fruit seller steps away, and Wes and Jamil steal the fruit truck. When they arrive at The Fall, they watch the sunset.

When the sun rises, Jamil finds Wes at the foot of the lake, crying. Jamil hugs him. Wes and Jamil return to his studio. He takes a pair of scissors and cuts the boy out of the painting, revealing an envelope with reference photos. Jamil hands a note to Wes. When he touches it, he hears the sound of water and kids playing more strongly than before. He takes the cutout, adheres it to an empty canvas, and begins to paint a larger, new work. He and Jamil choose to start over together.

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Fitzgerald Junior is a passionate artist working across film, collage, painting, and music who leverages his lived experiences to develop engaging cinematic—and other artistic—works. He spent 13 years serving in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where he developed and honed leadership skills, demonstrating effectiveness in creative problem solving and managing large-scale projects, personnel and assets in high stakes environments. During his service Fitzgerald separated himself from his peers by earning inclusion on the Commandant’s List for Academic Excellence, an achievement reserved for the top two students in his class. In 2015, he was honorably discharged and is a disabled veteran.

A skilled facilitator, Fitzgerald has spent the last decade teaching, training and mentoring youth while supporting the work of various art-based non-profits and grassroots organizations whose work addresses disadvantages faced by Black youth. He currently serves as a curator and organizer for Hyphen Film Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, where he was been instrumental in creating unique exhibition opportunities for local and independent filmmakers in and around Kentucky through programming community-based screening events aimed at reducing social barriers to participation.

After COVID forced a relocation back to Louisville, KY, Fitzgerald sacrificed the professional stability of federal employment, to return to school. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Louisville before continuing graduate studies in film production at the University of Texas at Austin. Since arriving to the graduate program, Fitzgerald has taught summer camps during both summer break, where he enjoys participating in the development of young filmmakers. He has also created the Secret Cinema Program, which pairs shorts and features from different eras so. It is a passion he has also brought to his Teaching Assistant roles during the academic year, demonstrating a deep investment to developing younger storytellers. Fitzgerald is currently planning to graduate with his MFA in the Spring of 2027.

Fitzgerald works relentlessly to create engaging stories and deepen both his knowledge and abilities as a filmmaker and artist. Other positions include serving on the Creative Board for the Louisville Film Society; serving as an organizer for Black Future Fest which was Louisville’s first festival centered on highlighting and preserving local history through engaging with different art forms. He currently proudly serves as a member of Hyphen Film Center which has organized multiple screening and film exhibitions centered on highlighting the experiences of different pockets our city and its unique cultures and traditions, providing safe and engaging spaces to experience the magic of cinema.

MEET THE TEAM

OUR PROGRESS

Undun is nearing the end pre-production, with principal photography just four weeks away. We are grateful for the private donors and community partners who have already contributed to bringing this project to life. The film is fiscally sponsored by Austin Creative Alliance, and we continue working to close the remaining gap in our production budget.

Funding will support essential production expenses, including locations, equipment, costumes, transportation, and crew. Our goal extends beyond completing the film. We look forward to sharing Undun with audiences through festivals, screenings, and community conversations that create opportunities for engagement and reflection.