Alexandria
While searching for supplies to keep his family alive, a medieval serf struggles to make sense of a startling discovery.
What remains of power when knowledge is forgotten?
John P. Dowgin’s Alexandria is set in an age of darkness and uncertainty. Stephan is a humble peasant, borne to a life of toil and privation who spends his days gathering enough firewood to keep his young family from the ravages of winter.
Whilst cutting wood deep in the forest, Stephan happens upon a mysterious hatchway buried in the ground, and a stairway descending into darkness beyond. Fearful, yet driven by need, Stephan ventures down into the dark - perchance to find sustenance for his ailing family.
But what he finds beneath the forest will prove a revelation of a very different kind.
Alexandria delivers an atmospheric drama, driven by mystery and capped with a dark twist. With its tightly-paced, dialogue-free narrative, this would be a great project for a creative filmmaker with an eye for striking visuals and minimalist storytelling. At 4-pages, it’s short and to the point, but engages all the way and leaves the reader with much to ponder.