Over two decades ago, a mysterious creature descends onto our world. No one knows where it came from or what its purpose is, but a religious sect known as the Church of the Final Revelation sees it as an angel, and a sign from God.

This is the premise of I Am Delta, a film made by Flinders Creative Arts (Screen) (Honours) 2019 graduates Samantha Sharplin and Thomas Goldblatt.

A science fiction drama that focuses on a young woman’s experience with the ‘Church of the Final Revelation’ and her spiral into dehumanisation and religious radicalisation, I Am Delta explores the ultimate question “How can a perfectly ‘normal’ person become radicalised?”

Every year, the Church randomly selects five young members to see if they are worthy of completing a holy pilgrimage to the ‘angel’. I Am Delta focuses on a young female initiate and the process of dehumanisation she experiences during her time with the Church.

Ms Sharplin said recent movements were the inspiration behind the film.

“I wanted to look at the topical subject of what would cause a perfectly moderate person to become radicalised, to become dedicated to a cause that may have questionable morals or ideas. Looking at Daesh or the Alt Right in recent memory, made me question how someone could look at these people and their beliefs and agree with them.

“Much of the style and imagery was used to amplify a sense of separation between people. The construct of the church also looks at how young people are expected to live to a certain expectation, and those who act outside of these expectations are punished,” she said.

During their time at Flinders, Ms Sharplin and Mr Goldblatt both attended the Hong Kong International Film Festival and credit their time at University and the collaborative work approach, to their valuable film production and storytelling skills.

“Working with 16mm in 3rd year was a valuable experience,” said Mr Goldblatt.

“We were working with a new medium, and one with limitations that forced us to work fast and be decisive.”

For Ms Sharplin, the biggest highlight from her time at Flinders was working on the Honours project, I Am Delta.

“I loved working on honours projects and then leading one myself. Having a way, as baby first years, to branch out, work on more ambitious projects, and work with new people was really important to me.”

After graduating, both students hope to continue to work creatively and in the film industry, driving their own projects or contributing to the projects of others.

Flinders Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) requires one year of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time), and allows students to create a feature length film as part of their studies. The course is offered by the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.