Connecting to your root chakra is a key to empowerment, as seen in the short comedy Floored. Co-directed by Marchelle Bradanini and Emily Alpren, Floored uses witty humor to poke fun at the identity shift and sexual disconnect that former career-oriented women turned middle-aged housewives stereotypically face. A recent selection of the 2026 Indy Shorts Film Festival, this indie darling is a satirical delight.

An Aging Actress Connects with Her Primal Power

Eleanor (Trilby Glover), a former BAFTA-winning actress turned stay at home mom, now finds herself fighting for her sense of relevancy. Waking up to news in the trades that she lost the part in her husband’s upcoming film, to a beautiful and young actress no less, is her last straw. Eleanor loves her three children dearly, but can’t shake the feeling of dissatisfaction. She is no longer willing to live in the shadows and is determined to reconnect with her former self.

To regain her sensuality and purpose, Eleanor enlists Marla (Sheila Carrasco), a pelvic floor therapist, to uncover the source of her pain. This journey is one that’s best enjoyed with friends, and so Eleanor invites her sisterhood of women friends to experience this transformational session along with her. It’s not long before the crystals and gadgets are brought out to awaken these women’s dormant desires. As their session comes to a close, Eleanor’s newfound peace, love, and harmony persona takes a hilariously unexpected turn. It turns out, her enlightened self is far more confident expressing her true desires, even at the detriment of her unsuspecting target.

A True Hollywood Story

Co-directors Marchelle Bradanini and Emily Alpren drew on inspiration from their own lives to create the world of Floored. Both creatives and mothers, their stories echo a familiar tale that many mothers in the arts face (including myself!). Bringing this sharply-penned script to life are the equally compelling performances. Trilby Glover is a dynamic leading lady, but it’s a guest role by Mara Wilson (Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda) that steals the show. Her return to the screen is such a rarity and I wanted to soak up every second of it. The expressive and colorful costumes and intentional art direction are additional elements that ground the film in satirical suburbia.

The score is another critical facet that ties the whole film together. Composer Amy Ileen Wood lends her sonic sensibilities to the story, and the result is spot on. Fans of Fiona Apple will be thrilled to learn that Floored features one of her new songs, as Amy Ileen Wood is a longtime collaborator with the artist.

Director’s Statement

“Floored explores the often brutal isolation after childbirth. We wanted to examine the loss of identity that comes with motherhood and the desperate measures to find oneself in. Ultimately, as mothers ourselves, we’ve found the answer isn’t in solitude, comparison, competition or red light therapies, but in commune with the women we never thought we’d ever identify with in the first place.” – Marchelle Bradanini and Emily Alpren

Takeaway

The ending may be an exaggeration of the femme experience, but Floored‘s cunning execution is quite an impressive feat. I hope to see more from Marchelle Bradanini and Emily Alpren in the near future.