Identity SHORT FILM (Award Winning Inspirational Short)

Follow the filmmaker:
@kjadames
"Living in a world where everybody wears masks due to lack of self-identity, a brave girl encounters the truth that sets her free"
"Identity" is a project made for the youth in schools.
Inspirational Student Short film shot on a Canon 7d mostly with a 24-70mm 2.8L lens
Written and Directed by: KJ Adames
Produced by: Stella Davis
Girl: RUTHY CEPEDA
Professor A: Jaime Taveras
Chess teacher: Jonathan Castano
Shot on a Canon 7d
sound recorded on an h4n
Thanks to UCF Film department.
Post your thoughts below. Share this with the youth.
Instagram: @kjadames
Facebook: / kjadames
Twitter: @kjadames

[@lilxtasy4936]

*casually scrolling down the comment section to find answers for my homework*

[@Alex-ps6lm]

SAME XD

[@Alex-ps6lm]

Your school is middle school right?

[@mayoleano8432]

LMAOOO YOUR PLAYING YOU TOO? MY TEACHER ASSIGNED THIS TODAY

[@Alex-ps6lm]

dumb rat :O SAME!

[@mayoleano8432]

【WeirdoAle】 YOU IN MIDDLE SCHOOL TOO THEN?

[@Sunwakka]

I really like the part where a girl in the hallway changes masks when she goes over to another group of friends. Very good visual storytelling!

[@death2denemy]

Me too..

[@gracie3616]

Same omg

[@thevoiceofidris]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4vIg4ewhaeEq68

[@floridian4072]

Yes!!! Just to fit in. I caught that!!

[@kikiblipblop3047]

2:28

[@marindaaddison435]

That moment you realize everyone is so fake and you just can't take it anymore

[@avrildune9993]

+Marinda Addison Yep....

[@lilygleason9804]

True

[@littleflowers7678]

you just realized that

[@oindriladutta6013]

But u r fake urself too..

[@lcrochetlovechild7047]

M A yep im there so you cant beat them join them

[@justablink3630]

I'm just here to thank everyone on the comment section for explaining this for my assignment lmao

[@jlyrics6141]

Me too.

[@zasun6939]

Same

[@justaweirdo3792]

Samee

[@qwxsr3666]

fr💀hahaha

[@taijaio5151]

me too😖

[@kayleeslater6345]

I love the part where that one girl goes to join the group conversation, and she switches masks... I can definitely relate to that! In high school I felt as though i needed to modify my personality depending on who i was talking to. I understand that isn't the way it should be now, but back then it felt much different. As drastic as this sounds, high school was sort of like a four-year social experiment all in itself, like the hunger games or something. Once I got out, life was so different. But being in there, it tests you... Its hard when you don't know who you are.

[@nikkimirhosseyni9535]

That was my favorite part. :)

[@TheKaineHill]

Kaylee Slater That's my favorite part too! :D

[@jingem9406]

It's like the movie saw they bring a group of strangers and torture them. Except in this case it's not physically it's mentally which is in my opinion way worse and is way harder for it to heal rather than a broken bone or a cut.

[@shaymary5247]

Hey Miles Esp. for those who develop PTSD! It's a very sad world out there!!

[@shaymary5247]

Kaylee Slater VERBATIM!!

[@jesseonvenus]

2012: no 2013: nuh uh 2014: nope 2015: still no 2016: you still here? 2017: so how you doing? 2018: Almost there! 2019: just a little longer! 2020: *watch this video for homework*

[@justaweirdo3792]

yes lmao

[@bjornmanalo1819]

Yeah me too

[@razecrownsolus7586]

Same

[@ilyessoussia7166]

2024 for .. watching for homework lmao

[@justinm693]

So three things. 1. What do all the colors represent? Yellow = Beauty Red = Popularity Blue = Smart? Black = Strange? Gold = Cool Green = Geek?, or Nerd? Purple = Unpopular? Violet = Ugly? white = Different, or Unique (These are only my interpretations and guesses at the symbolism. Feel free to comment on them if you disagree.) 2. If the white mask symbolises difference, or being unique, and there's only the one white mask- Why wear a mask at all? 3. Some people commented on how there should have been a life changing event that caused her to remove her mask. However I think that the sequence of events in the video all added up to that life changing moment at the end. Why? REASONS: NOTE: Im aplying all these reasons to the girl in the white mask 1. From the scene at the begining we can already tell she suffers from bullying. 2. We know that she is very observant. Meaning she is allways looking around at others and their masks trying to see why she is different. 3. Her art work is all about pain and suffering: Like- the people with masks the faceless people being alone 4. One key event that lead to her discovery was her teaches lesson. Wearing a mask is basicly the same thing as being one of those slaves bound in the cave. 5. When she is learing about chess her teacher describes the role and purpose of a pawn. When she picks up a pawn at the end she is realizing she shares the same life as the pawn does. 6. Just before she flees to the bathroom you can tell (from her actions, behavor, and the sinister music) that she is under traumatic stress. All the previous events are leading her to question if wearing the mask is what she really wants to do. 7. The final clue was her about to leave the bathroom. She knows her mask is damaged. (The mask breaking symbolizes her loosing her composure or perhaps her starting to free her self from the self that others are seeing.) Once her mask was damaged she had two options. One: Leave the bathroom and pretend nothing happened. OR Two: get rid of her mask entirely She chose to get rid of her mask entirely because she finally realised it wasn't doing her any good. I apologise for the really long comment. I really liked this video and I just felt the need to analyze and explain it to those who were maybe confused about it. Please note that there are just my views and opinions on the meaning of the symbolism. Like with most symbols there can be more than one meaning behind them. Good Job to the makers of the video. I realize this is serveral years old but please know that it continues to inspire others regardless of how old it is. ... March/ 27/ 2021 EDIT: I just came back to this video and was reviewing my old comment, and as I was doing so, another possible interpretation for the white mask came to mind. I think that most likely, the white mask symbolized the fact that the girl didn't feel like she fit in with any of the other groups. Throughout the video, she would look at all the other groups and pay attention to them. She would watch the things they did, and the way that they acted, but she never actually joined any of them. She didn't even so much as walk up to any of them and speak to them. So, the question is, why pay so much attention to the other groups if she had no interest in joining them? She was obviously interested enough in the other groups to observe them, but she never actually acted on that interest. If I had to guess, I'd say that she wanted to join them, but something held her back. As for what that something is, I'd say that she felt like she probably doesn't belong with the other groups. She probably thought things along the lines of, "I am different. We are not the same. I don't really fit in with that group." And I think the color system for the masks was deliberately designed to show this system of belonging. People with similar colored masks would group up with other people who wore the same mask. We also saw in the video that people would switch masks when interacting with different groups, and the mask they switched to was the same color as the group they were interacting with at the time. And then we have the white mask, the only mask without a clearly defined color. The white mask can be considered a blank slate. It can be exchanged for an actual color if the wearer so desires to, but as it is it is essentially colorless. It doesn't match any of the other colors. Another interesting detail is the patterns on the white mask. Those patterns are made up of a wide variety of different colors, and those colors match the colors of the other masks. This is probably done deliberately to show that the girl does have some shared interests with the other groups, or at least to show that they have some similarities, but the girl isn't just a single color. She is a dynamic and unique individual, and can't be categorized by any one color. There isn't any single color that encompasses and defines who she is. To give up her mask for a single color mask would mean to give up part of who she is, simply for the sake of blending in with the rest of a group. Throughout the video, it feels like the girl is being pressured to choose a group. She keeps searching for that one group that she fits in with, that one group that is just like her, but she doesn't find it. She is the only white mask. It is almost as if her mask is a burden to her. This might explain her choice of artwork. And finally, when her mask cracked, it was like the hold that her mask had on her was breaking... Until finally, she was able to free herself from her mask. She was no longer weighed down by who she was and who other people were. She was simply herself, and she was proud to be her own person. There is a very obvious change in her behavior once she is without a mask. All that pain and uncertainty are gone, and she no longer feels the need to observe the other groups. Instead, everyone else has their eyes on her. As for whether or not that is a good thing or a bad thing, that is open up for debate. But at the very least, giving up her mask seems to have had a positive effect on the girl. ... February/ 5th/ 2022 EDIT 2: I wanted to go through the comments and add people's questions and my responses here so that everything is in a centralized location and so that people don't have to scroll through the entire comment section to find all the relevant information to my original post, but apparently KZbin has a character limit for how long any single comment can be. So instead, I'll briefly mention a few note worthy comments to look for down below. 1. Dennis Keane's comment on the core of the film and my counter proposal for the core of the film. 2. Ashton Hades theory on the purpose of playing the events in reverse to their chronological order, and my response for why I agree with their theory. 3. Ross Curington (AStRaTeGiSt)'s question where they asked "What do you think is meant by "Today I found the truth" and at the end says, "The truth found me"." and my response about shifting perspectives. 4. 73percent pointed out how "The teachers had no mask on".

[@juanbecerra5428]

Thanks for the info

[@denniskeane3177]

the core of the film is, dont afraid to be diffrent

[@jinxkinks4171]

If I were too be I would be blue it is true :)

[@djoakeydoakey1076]

Pretty good assesment. Good job

[@pastelpepe]

Justin M *Unpopular

[@User-to7nb]

sorry. I super glued the mask to my face.

[@taajah]

😂😂

[@silver1637]

That sounds like something I would do tbh XD

[@noticed999isrealyetl7]

+SilverAnimations yeah right in 2000 years

[@78taramarie]

+Noticed999isrealyet l nigga don't question people's possibilities

[@RugratsNickAtNite]

Psalm 139:13-18 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand- when I awake, I am still with you

[@soph-so1wj]

I kinda wish for month our school would give us uniforms, plain masks, and something to cover our hair so you can see it. Like something to make us all look the same and we aren't aloud to know who is who. We have to try and meet people and talk to them. Let's see what people think about each other when physical appearance doesn't have any role to play.

[@nat-hk7pj]

You should recommend it!

[@bethchapman5055]

do you like somewhere where they don't have uniform?? cause I live in UK and we have uniform on my school and I do find that people are not picked on for what they were cause we all were the same .

[@ameliagething7284]

+Beth Chapman me to I go to a blue school

[@HibaAydeed]

+Disoriented Jelly Fish sounds like the hijab to me :D

[@CottonKerndy2000]

+Beth Chapman Pretty much every public school here in the US doesn't have strict uniform guidelines. We just can't wear things that expose or have drug messages etc.

[@epicriku9162]

I've actually met the people who made this. They came out to my school.

[@PUSHFUTURE]

I did?

[@epicriku9162]

You and afew other people came our and talked bout this.

[@PUSHFUTURE]

What school?

[@epicriku9162]

If you don't know nvm m8. My bad.

[@PUSHFUTURE]

Epicriku91 No worries. Best of luck out there!

[@Sam-qr4ki]

Who else has to do this in 2020 for e school 😐

[@sharsh24]

Me but I didn’t do it cause I wasn’t able to the video on the chromebook

[@bigdilf3038]

@@sharsh24 sameeee

[@jeshyraorcullo5009]

Me same

[@merimeow7183]

Lol me

[@fiachuAnimation3537]

@Tp Free me UwU

[@geraldineapiado5018]

One of the reason why we suffer from self identity crisis was we are trying to copy someone else life ,including personality ,behavior and mindset . So ,we have to remove our mask and be authentic in order to find ourself . Thumbs up with this short film .very inspirational

[@lisadoyle2284]

I am 45 years old and have just learned to take off my masks and be my true self. If I could go back in my past and talk to myself, the one thing I would tell myself is to take off these masks and enjoy life. It's not important for everyone you meet to like you. It is more important to like yourself. Don't be like me and wait until you are older to take off these masks. Be true to yourself. If people don't like you for who you are, move on. Spend more time with the people who do like you for who you are.

[@im.not.typical91]

thanks your comments made me accept who I am

[@eutiehachi9459]

+Lisa Doyle Thank you so much! That is what I needed to hear!

[@lisadoyle2284]

Eutie hachi I am so glad. Hang in there, when you start liking yourself, things get better, and you deserve to love yourself!

[@moogeumal3989]

I like and marking your word's. Thank's a lot.

[@angieespinal574]

Lisa Doyle am 11 and i still dont like myself i feel like i have a life of someone and its not mine but thank you. For this comment thx

[@CristianKirk]

"Be yourself"... old philosophy that doesn't really mean anything. No one can be themselves, because everything and everyone is connected to everything and everyone else. Nothing can be something just on its own, intrinsically. Society, culture, our whole environment will always define our identity because that's how an identity is formed in the first place, and there's nothing we can do to avoid it. All we can do is learn to think and reason taking everything we can into consideration, questioning the dominant values and our own is a good place to start. But never assume that there's something inside you that needs discovery or that represents "the truth of yourself", what you need is to discover the whole world out there... and the more you discover, the more you know, the more you think, the more you change into a better version of yourself.

[@CristianKirk]

The things that are important yo you, your values, also come from society. If you would have born in a different place, in a different time, your values would be different, it can not be other way. This is what comprises human evolution.

[@saravaldes2047]

I do agree with you but we all seriously need to stop blaming society for everything, WE ARE society and if we want a change we need to do it ourselves, not just sit back and wait for someone to be brave enough to stand up.

[@jingem9406]

I totally agree couldn't have said it better

[@lauralovesquinsy]

Thank you for answering like half of all my life questions and how to find myself. I am so grateful to you stranger

[@harrystacey4889]

CristianKirk I don't think it's right to say that our environment defines our identity. What if a teenager is told all through high school that she is a loser/ nobody/ failure in life... Does that define who she is? This could be totally untrue, but if she believes what you believe, that her surroundings tell her who and what she is... she is completely manipulated by other peoples perceptions of her rather than the true reality of who she is as an individual person. I think it's true to say that our environment influences our identity (if we let it) but to say that it defines who we are is a bit too far... It's no different to going to a zoo and then getting confused about whether or not your an elephant or human.

[@averyjohnstone4592]

I love how so many people have an assignment on this in the comments

[@themisfitt4364]

*takes off mask for the first time *eyeliner on her eyes

[@mohammadazizulislamasif4558]

then it should be too much white also. Because, if we cover any part of our skin for a long time, it becomes much whiter than other parts. *Only try to get the message and don't judge :-|. That's what it is about😒

[@miffyymoon]

I'mwearing so many masks that I've forgotten what my real face looks like

[@carissa4551]

Oh gosh. Same

[@phoesmi5911]

PHANDOM

[@lexithompson6246]

+danisnotahamster DANYUL

[@YodanboogerLives]

+danisnotahamster Okay, check it out one time. It's a well known, well respected idea in philosophy, neuroscience and psychology that you don't have a "real face". The very idea that you have of a "self" is an illusion. This is not a trippy, woowoo, blow your mind, crazy shower thought. This is something prominent thinkers and neuroscientists like Bruce Hood and Sam Harris tell us. Obviously, you exists and you have distinct behaviors and attitudes but that doesn't mean what you think it does. The idea is that we are all basically completely deluded about the nature of our consciousness.

[@lexithompson6246]

I know but they have a photo of dan

[@marapprech]

i was kind of waiting for her to get beat up or something at the end of the video, because they were talking about Plato and his allegory of the cave, and in that allegory, the guy who sees the outside of the cave (and takes "his mask"/blindfold off) goes back in to tell the others, and they kill him because they would not acknowledge the real and absolute world that plato called "the world of ideas".. but i kind of like this ending better, it tells you that you should not be afraid to take of your maks, people might stare at first, but your life will be brighter (therefor the change of weather, and yes, i have so absolutely overanalyzed this video :))

[@krokrokrenzvlog3471]

I’m HERE BECAUSE OF OUR SUBJECT AND SCROLLING TO THE COMMENT TOF FIND AN ANSWER HAHA LMAO DEC, 9 2020 hahah

[@dhritibhattacharjee9123]

Same fr, the comments really help lmao

[@ameliarodrigues1360]

You guys lucky. In india, we have no auch projects. School z lame

[@NelsonHernandez-kk3xp]

The beginning kind of creeped me out since I'm watching this at 3 a.m

[@Dollificent]

Same, it literally is exactly 3 am

[@purple1puppies]

+Dollificent omg same

[@thefandomfish3071]

3:25 omg!!!

[@cccarly123]

this gave me goosebumps

[@PUSHFUTURE]

Glad I was able to provoke a feeling.

[@CitronnelleCiphy]

Halfway in and I'm still surprised the teacher isn't wearing a mask. You have no idea, kids...

[@stayhappy4165]

Someone commented saying that the teachers are not wearing masks because they are mature and know that hiding behind masks is useless. They also mentioned that the working world is nothing like high school and when you grow out of high school, you'll understand.

[@TheChickenRiceBowl]

Stay Happy Funny, considering adults are usually the ones with the most intricate masks.

[@stayhappy4165]

well TheChickenRiceBowl I thought about that too but somebody else commented that and so yeah.. A lot of adults have intricate masks like you said

[@lucybrown7315]

POV: your here for a assignment

[@lorrainem.retardo3176]

indeed

[@icedcoffeemondays]

This is so touching, people hide who they really are, and sometimes are even excluded. She left that mask behind because without the mask is the truth and her real self.

[@MrDanNoob]

the girl who CHANGED which mask she wore was especially smart, especially when she was a subtle thing, it really tugged at me, we change our personality to fit in with those around us to protect our own self esteem, because we need to feel accepted. :) anyone about to go to college (high school for you lovable Americans) ;) should pick Communication and culture. it touches upon this subject very deeply :)

[@staceyc2681]

When the girl was running to the bathroom I was like "yup, period."

[@AnuragPradhan101]

hahaa .....

[@BrendaMidamba]

+Stacey Chan hahaha

[@emmaniklasson5609]

it wasn't funny

[@AnuragPradhan101]

+Emma Niklasson It depends on your mentality ! haha.. BIOLOGY normal ,Lay person- - Awkard

[@tacogimp7297]

Emma Niklasson fuck you bitch

[@dixieree]

I am literally sobbing. This really has hit me in the heart, like I just overcame a deep rooted struggle I’ve had with myself where I constantly cover up who I truly am around people, because I know everyone else is doing the same and I am typically afraid of judgement. But, when I am alone I feel my true divine self, and I am not ashamed. I WANT to show who I am off, and stop trying so hard to live my life to please everyone else. This really fucking hit my heart I just reached a new level of evolution, I feel my deepest self shining through me. Thank you so much for your message, for your inspiration. Thank you for being a precious soul, who has gone through something unbeneficial to your soul, and overcoming it. For learning, and for spreading your wisdom. Thank you. I deeply appreciate you, your wisdom, your soul, your kindness, and your effort. Thank you for wanting to share such beauty with the world. You are a wonderful soul, We are evolving and overcoming life TOGETHER. As ONE. We are all one, and connected. We should always uplift each other, support, love, and be at peace with everyone and everything. Never against. And we should never hide ourselves, our true selves. From nobody, not from ourselves or anyone around us. Take off the fucking masks and walls you hide behind. Crash those stupid fucking walls down, and be open. In an open field, of trees and naturalness, of POSITIVITY AND OF LOVE!!! Water, fire, air, Earth, BEAUTY. 🦋🦋🦋🌞🌞🌞🌊🌊🌊🦚🦚💗🌜🌜🌜🌜🍭 I hope my message gives you strong feelings of support, love, joy, and vibrance the way your video has given me feelings of greatness, of evolution, growth, self love, hope for the souls in our worlds and hope for myself. I wish you a beautiful life, with sprinkles and glitter of love, light, peace, happiness and pureness. Namaste. 🦥🐝

[@friendlybleach8518]

This is so deep and I really love it. The people who created this are so creative and understanding. This video really describes how the world is. I always wear 20 ''masks''. Even when I'm alone.

[@Queenixx]

In the first 4 minutes i was like "i don't get it" and then she took off the mask and smiled and looked suprised and i was like "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! MY GOSH THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!"

[@outlaweda]

Oh you must be living on a rock on those years. To me, it felt like a 5 minute cliche video and pretty boring

[@Queenixx]

well...you obviously didn't get the message.

[@katrollins9833]

Queenixx I didn't. can you help me?

[@Queenixx]

kat rollins i hope i interpreted this right xD well look, as the title says, it's about identity. all those people wear masks because they don't want to show who they really are. in the hallway you can see a bunch of people wear the same mask. These ones shall be constituted the people who are always together (like i don't know, probably you know a clique like that too at your school) at 2:29 you can see a girl take off her mask and still wears another one; to fit in this group where the people wear brown masks. in that, she changed her indentity, she changed her acting; to fit with that specific group, she isn't herself anymore. it's like...i bet you know a guy or girl who is completely different in front of other people, but if she/he is alone with you, she/he is pretty much more him/herself than usual. The teachers don't wear any masks because they don't give a shit if the students like them or not. They are the way they always are (at least in this short movie ^-^) When the girl has this breakdown, she runs to the bathroom and takes off her mask. At the first time of her life, she sees herself, the way she is. She found out who she really is. And she decides to never hide behind a mask, to never hide her identity, again. I guess this movie wants us to show that we shouldn't neither. That we should always be the ones we want to be.. To never act like somebody else, to be yourself, to never wear a mask.. Hope you understand now -(i am very bad at explaining to other people ^^' and sorry if i made mistakes in this text, English is not my first language and >.> i am usually not the best in my English class ^^')-

[@outlaweda]

Queenixx Oh shut up Queeni

[@bigtimefans100]

Everyone is masked, and they learn about Plato's Allegory Of The Cave, how one of them was brave enough to go over the dark wall. The girl's story is like Plato's Allegory Of The Cave- they are both consisting showing true dauntlessness. She steps out and is no longer afraid. "This is the truth. This is who I am...unmasked."

[@ayaali3388]

Are you still live

[@mikkeldahl4452]

great way of showing the frontstage and backstage in our every day life. And also how we use facework from one group to another group and how we switch characters

[@Rubyzen]

I just found this film short today. .I immediately shared with my friends. What a very thought provoking film. Great visual interpretation of Platos work. My fav part is when the girl picks up the pawn and realization hits. Thank you for making this film .

[@wensenzhang]

That's not how chess works... all pawns can become any piece they want if they try hard enough. Pawns are also the most powerful in a sense, as no piece can trade with a pawn without bringing themselves to a material disadvantage. The only thing they can't become is the the king, who is the weakest on the board as the only thing you can do with a king is protect him.

[@billhughes5638]

+Wensen Zhang True, but I think when considered in the context of the video, a young teen just beginning to take their first real footsteps in life, a pawn is, then, only a pawn until they continue to learn and master the game. It is THEN they may become greater than they began.

[@f2mel2]

+Wensen Zhang Now that's optimism.

[@sapphireshores9708]

+Bill Hughes Throw me to the wolves and i'll come back leading the pack.

[@emmajacobs253]

+Sapphire Shores was that a BMTH reference?

[@sapphireshores9708]

+Awkward Em how did u know :3

[@Larkawolfsgirl]

This is a lesson we all need to learn. Our society tells us who to be and how to fit in, when what we need the most is to show the world who we truly are inside.

[@gracenote108]

No, it's your own mind telling you how you should be. It's our own mind that feeds us these seemingly palatable ideas about what would be good for us.

[@Larkawolfsgirl]

That is true, but society (especially commercials) try to manipulate our mind into thinking we need to act a certain way.

[@gracenote108]

Larkawolfsgirl That's because people don't ask the right questions, or any questions for that matter when performing any physical, emotional, or mental activity. Using commercials for examples, if you saw a new electronic gadget with newer and better features than what you currently have, our heart tugs at the idea of getting it. The question to ask is, WHY is our heart tugging at the idea? From answering that question, you get other questions. Answering those questions and so forth that will ultimately take you to the root of your personality: your values, beliefs, ego structure, etc. This requires real honesty and sincerity on our part. In my experience and opinion, most people have an identity crisis without being aware of it. "Too many people spend money they earned..to buy things they don't want..to impress people that they don't like.” (Will Rogers). That's the sad truth. Just being a little introspective and thoughtful will prevent you from living a blind life.

[@HannahAllgood]

nayius you know you are right

[@sefat-e-noornabila8973]

love u

[@fp5219]

"BE YOURSELF"---one of the most hardest thing to do.

[@dharmeshtailor4797]

Amazing film! I can only imagine..how much planning this took! Great work all around.

[@iamKristena]

I feel like this every day.

[@EragonTheHeartOfSora]

This was great but the only thing is... In the analogy of the cave, the freed prisoner goes back into the cave to enlighten his fellow prisoners that the world of shadows they see is not the real world, but the chained prisoners kill the enlightened/free one because they couldn't handle the truth... the prisoners didn't want to be saved from the puppeteers who casted the shadows on the wall because they were scared and only believed in the physical (fake) world. Digressing, being different is great (I loved the nature of this short) but I just felt like ppl needed to know how the analogy ended.

[@kpopgreatvideos]

EragonTheHeartOfSora Yeah , it was Plato's Cave , Philosophy is interesting shit ya know :DDD

[@williamgeorge5953]

Thanks

[@ayanahtheawesome2997]

Amen, this is what I need to do. But it's so hard; but you know I really am gonna try because of this vid.

[@kat27435]

Incredible short film first off Great concept and Love the ending when she shows her true identity

[@baileythompson7002]

Did anyone else notice that the girl who was all by herself and felt so alone was the one with the prettiest mask? It has different colors and designs. The people who were in groups only had a solid colored mask. The people who are seen as outcasts or the ones who people do not want to hang around with are sometimes the people who you can learn the most from and who have the best personalities. They are the ones who are real and who are not afraid to let their true colors show. I love this film.

[@George-rz6iv]

Wow....... great work! You are a inspiration !

[@PUSHFUTURE]

Thank you!

[@TheRake]

do you mind if i use clips from this video for a promotional music video? i dont need to monetize it and will give you full credit

[@ChristopherFraser2]

Woah! Well written, filmed, edited, and color-corrected! I also really loved the moral of the film.

[@cnhosein.bambootalk]

Thank you for making this film and sharing it. I have used this for teaching self esteem and independent thinking with my lower school students.

[@myhatzulu]

If I stopped hiding behind a mask and showed my true identity I would be in prison...

[@u235x00]

ikr same here 😂

[@celestemoreno2343]

myhatzulu omg

[@mikasaackerman6122]

I would be too. But if people could read my minds, i would be in a mental institution.

[@askatuproductions]

myhatzulu yeah, i'm totally insane too, i think i am a psycopath B) (?)

[@darthcoffee1]

😂😂

[@QuickSlashHD]

Crowded hallways are the loneliest places

[@nijularshed2853]

this movie tells so much about peoples identity.how people have different masks,one they show to everyone, under that, one they show to their friends, under that, one they show to their family and under that,one they show only to themselves.I love the part where that one girl goes to join the group conversation, and she switches masks... I can definitely relate to that! In high school I felt as though i needed to modify my personality depending on who i was talking to. I understand that isn't the way it should be now, but back then it felt much different.MORAL: be yourself and show your true behaviour to everyone. this helps in building more social values

[@sirakyemanetewelde6338]

I can i answer my questions please i don't understand the film what is Provide three separate points.

[@kellydepaz525]

This is absolutely stunning, you truly have a bright future ahead of you. You will do outstanding things.

[@ShaunaZamarripa]

What I love about this is how her mask was already unique, already one of a kind, in a sea of faces that were all the same, in an ocean of conformists. She wanted so desperately to break free. Had she not accidentally broken her mask, she wouldn't have removed it. We all wear masks...of pride...of confidence...of self-assurance....that we don't really feel on the inside. It isn't until we take these masks off that we become who we are meant to be. This? This is perfect. Not only applicable to high school, but SO far beyond. Very inspiring, very well thought out short. Loved it.

[@mlizeng]

I normally don't say these kinds of things very often, but wow. I actually really connected with this and never thought I'd find such powerful material that I could truly relate to in such a way. It's short, but is such an incredibly multi-faceted, layered, detailed production chock-full of symbolism within its hidden meanings. When that student went to change their current mask to fit in with another crowd, representing the ways we put on different façades around others... just wow. An absolutely beautiful production.

[@ayaali3388]

Are you still live

[@crystalwolf3838]

i love the use and symbolism of masks here especially the part in the hallway where a girl changes her mask as she approaches a group of teens showing how people change themselves depending on who they talk to

[@hannekeee8347]

Why is everyone here for their homework- . I'm here for social studies lmao

[@Think_For_Yourself_]

It's telling us to think for ourselves and not just go along with societal rules, norms, customs, regulation, authortity, and laws simpy just because you were born into them and not to blindly follow them just because that is the way things have been done for generations. We as individuals should question and challenge what is deemed the norm, fair, and just. Think about it this way it the past women could not vote or own property. Nowaday we think those were ignorant laws. We may say to ourselves yeah but it is very obvious to see it is unjust but during the time before women had those rights and especially many generations before it was unthinkable to give women these rights. Same thing with the laws today! Think for yourself and do not allow athority or society do the thinking for you!

[@aeroscope]

I do agree to an extend but society can't function if everyone thinks like that. It is important that some people should think like that and be a radical, but some needs to think less in order to execute what radicals have come up with. Just like the chest pieces have different functions. It sounds sad, but this is how the real world works and some people don't like to be a radical but follow orders.

[@filmfilmer8372]

Woah. I loved the part at 2:31 where the girl changed her mask when she switched who she was talking to. It was so deep & so true.

[@ScienceandSpaceX]

It is excellent storytelling of how 'she' finds the truth and how the 'truth' finds her later. The story is about the intervening period between these two events.

[@mramitsingh001]

This Film Is Soo Powerful And Influential ...i can Literallyy Feel A Current of Shockwaves running Thru My Body n my Mind Constantly contemplating every single second of it to its Deep Core Meaning Which the Film Wants Us to See..its Soo Great..n its Really Powerful Message dat dey hv sent..!! LOVED both the Lectures of a Professor..it says alot dan Wat meets the Eye..!!

[@Jazztheplant]

Loved the concept and point it shows how teenagers and even some adults go trough. The switching of mask, the putting on of a mask in front of other peers. But the part I like the most was showing that the teacher had no mask to put on , and also the unveiling of her mask at the end to show her true identity. It's an amazing short film the I can relate to. I've been watching a a marathon of these because I just discovered them on KZbin, I'm really thinking about making my own now.

[@yesv11]

I've been going to therapy because of this "mask" i've been wearing myself. It's difficult to take off when, like you wrote, society defines your identity. So many feelings were rushing through me while watching this video. It was exceptional. Thank you for posting!

[@teoml1789]

The meaning of this is so deep , wish there were more people to understand it .

[@mikebasil4832]

What an amazing short film. Thank you for posting it. 👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿

[@l.ellei.sorensen4121]

...I was thinking their masks were ugly. Not hers...

[@tarajames1298]

I agree

[@noumanarian3454]

r8

[@miaferrari136]

I think that's the point, hers is so unique and different

[@VOIDW1TCH]

If this isn't powerful, I don't know what is

[@mirandaboyer8740]

its about finding out who you want to be in life. what you want to do in life. seeing your true potential.

[@buoyenglish]

Wow! That felt like a punch in the stomach! Thank you for this amazing film! I'm so gonna use this as teaching material

[@MatteElGuason]

and the oscar for the best no sense video goes to.....

[@hyrulphicsound]

Obvious allegory is obvious.

[@elpelu123]

The point of the video is... throw away the pawn and end up in a corner with two rooks cross around in a very meanny way... if you know what i am saying.

[@sophsizzlep6901]

Lol just cause you're to dumb to understand it it doesn't mean it doesn't make sense. It means, that everybody who had similar masks are apart of a clique or a group like in most high schools, she was not in a clique and chose to be herself and take off the mask . Most teenagers try to hide behind a mask and this one realized she's be happier being herself.

[@MatteElGuason]

ma va??? ma guarda Sophia proprio non l'avevo capito del resto sono un imbecille. è ovvio che il messaggio che si voleva veicolare era quello. Ma ne è risultato un video senza senso e basta.

[@TheLostDrifter]

you cannot understand what you have not lived through

[@silentthundermimeministry1481]

loved this!!! thank you ...keep creating...you are making a change in someone's life!

[@PUSHFUTURE]

Thank you! Please be on the look out for my new film. Follow me on IG @kjadames

[@manuelrojas41]

great job KJ looking forward for what's next!!!!

[@leefletcher6406]

I love how everyone's mask is plain and hers is the most beautiful and decorative

[@sebastiandeluna5853]

sure its decorative but the decoration is actually garbage

[@candiigurl7893]

I know this may not be a christian related film, but I can tell you that it definitely helped deliver a message; I showed this my youth group that I teach last year on finding out who you are and your identity and they had to have loved it just as much as I did, and still do. Just wanted to let you know that your work is being appreciated from all sides. Good Job.

[@monadrian13]

I was waiting for her and others to gather up and dance like Jabbawockeez

[@fauzillajoannes4294]

lol😝😜😅

[@princess1peach]

me2

[@pc6461]

Mon Cruz 😃😂

[@joellemartin4466]

too bad the mask wasn't porcaline when she dropped it it could have shattered resembling her breaking away . Very well done though.

[@thevoiceofidris]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4vIg4ewhaeEq68

[@christalbryant2912]

Bravo! For me this is a true depiction of a NEW born again believer in Christ Jesus.

[@caramelunicorn8023]

i absolutely agree hey!

[@_reformed_4151]

Christal Bryant m'jesus

[@macadona123]

That's not really what Plato's allegory of the cave is about

[@cecilialupiccolo]

Enlighten us then

[@kristendavidson269]

macadona123 speechless now

+Cecilialu Piccolo Plato speaks about the perfect ideas of things and the things we see, which are mere shadows.

[@elijahwashington9586]

macadona123 kopydzebdina

[@ailinos]

I really gotta stop watching all this deep stuff on KZbin and go back to my Cat Videos :P

[@veecouncil7277]

Right tho I don't even know how I got here!

[@phoenixflame1696]

Me too I don't even know how I get here :/

[@dnw009]

Now that you two or 3 are actually here/were here why not give it some thought? At best you grow as a human being at wurst you're no wurse of then when u just got to this video. You don't have to do anything though, im just suggesting it.

[@ayannalewis6197]

I originally logged on to look for a music video...

[@discordedpinkie215]

Go ahead. I need to go cry in my bed. o-o

[@marinabirch7930]

I absolutely love this .. Five years later and its still getting out and making an impact. It is truly amazing.

[@PUSHFUTURE]

Thank you Marina! Make sure to subscribe to the channel. I will be posting a video soon talking more about the topic.

[@kendallbarachy3381]

This is one of the most inspiring and beautiful short films ive seen!

[@robynvanhorn]

wow I have always been different from my peers . its a difficult road but so much better than being a cookie cut person . I have been called weird ,strange, crazy , kooky ect and when people say this to me I thank them . its a compliment ( they don't mean it to be a compliment and it upsets them when I receive it that way :)

[@C2kogPrem]

Great movie KSA, God bless you.

[@isobellilielpraciyaoya5016]

This story is teaching us that we dont have to hide our face cuz the different is our beauty We all has a our own beauty we don't have to change anything the things you have to do rights now is feel grateful at what you have not changing not anything

[@whyyougottabesorudedontyou5185]

Just one step can make a huge difference

[@LPSArtemis88888]

This is beautiful...

[@valkyrieulquiorra118]

Everyone wears and has their own masks. You just need the right people who would help you see right through it

[@_shadyyy2133]

Seriuosly, I'm really suprised. I didn't think that sort films give us some useful things, but I change my mind! BRAVO. That's the best movie I have ever seen.

[@Olga-xb9yh]

If we take off the mask, we see that we are never alone!Thank you for helping people in finding their greatest purpose!

[@joshuabernardino5700]

"mask on, fuck it mask off" - Future

[@chiyo4237]

This honestly made me so happy. I really love this.

[@georgesprudente3942]

Identity Short Film : Great realism. Congratulations Kalhil KJ Adames. C'est magnifiquement bien écrit.

[@lotus-leetigtenlillevang5955]

The acting was so amzazing i feel like a whole new better and improved one even I can describe how happy I was that I stumbled upon this short

[@neuerehrgeiz7816]

Meh. As much I myself am against all the damned passive-aggressiveness (the masks being "fake personas"), I didn't quite like the video. I'd have liked it more if it focused on the negative aspects of said passive-aggressiveness, rather than slapping together a bland cliche "be yourself" pile of crap we've all seen before. Besides which, the message of this isn't entirely a good thing. What if someone's self behind the mask believed in something, like... Necrophilia is okay do to? That's a case where the mask is better off staying in place, for certain.

[@ankurama42]

Don't judge

[@musabbafridi8721]

Ankur Deb Umm I'm pretty sure he's allowed to, Its not a person that could have many other sides to them, its a damn video. That's literally all there is to it. You can judge all you want

[@ankurama42]

Everyone's allowed to. I'm just politely asking

[@JunoJaxon_mypjpants]

Everyone deserves to be themselves no matter what. We're animals that became to smart for our own good but we still possess animal like qualities in the way that we crave a mate, we set territories for ourselves, the basic stuff. Our personalities and our actions are who we are and can change over time the more our brains mature and grow and if someone grows up to a point where they are an adult with an adult mind and possess some sort of fetish shamed in our eyes, that gives them no less right to be themselves, but just because it isn't right doesn't mean they don't have that right. It just means that if they choose to act on it they deserve to be punished. Though even that in my mind is iffy because fetishes such as necrophilia aren't who you are, just what you crave and even then, it's not all the time. We have flaws and some should embrace them, some shouldn't, but those flaws don't make you who you are.

[@101mahina]

It seemed like, to me anyway, that the movie showed that they were being themselves from the start. Notice all the different designs on their masks. It's just that they wouldn't identify as themselves unless they took it off. Being yourself and identifying as yourself are 2 different things. You can be yourself by doing what you like, hanging out with friends and blah, blah, blah all the things you like. Also, you can be easily influenced by others in this state. However identifying as yourself is being true to who you are. Your likes, dislikes, opinions, feelings, etc... aren't influenced by others unless you want them to be (or they _force_ it upon you). It's as if you encrypted a code into yourself that not even society can hack. In the video it showed that she chose to identify as herself when her false identity cracked. But that's just my opinion.

[@duanefreeman3152]

honest beautiful awesome work

[@alexanderhyatt5359]

That girl is beautiful the way she is. God made her in His own image of her and she finally accepts it without judging herself.

[@bonnieschairer9977]

I'll be showing this in high school. You have done a fabulous job creating this video. I created a unit on Identity using ideas from the web, which all are cited as well as original thought. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[@helainak.9363]

Wow. I love how they change their masks when "changing their identity." That was actually very inspirational

[@rachelp9954]

watched this in my sociology class! truly inspiring :)

[@poetry.4524]

I've learned a lot that this story is applicable in real life how we hide ourselves to just fit in, in the world full of standards and judgement.

[@A4171GK12HN]

cannot see life behind the wall - that is how I felt when I finished High School and I suspect others feel as well. All I ever knew basically was life in the structured school system. and then struggled for a while to figure my way into real life outside of it not sure I can completely say I have figured myself out completely though

[@rentalface2581]

Everyone needs to see this...

[@alisah.9993]

This is why I want to do media next year as a subject. So I can hopefully make things as amazing as this. So many great things to learn from.

[@filmlife1000]

That is an awesome concept - it is really what teenagers need to feel free to express themselves.

[@miss_.sunshine]

Amazing film. Thank you sweet soul