As a student at Yale University, Patrice D. Bowman recognized a need for more challenging, artistic, faith-based films centered on women and people of color. Her latest short film, Under the Sun After the Wind, inspired by the Book of Ecclesiastes, is an example of that approach to filmmaking.

Patrice graduated from Yale University in 2015 with a BA in Film Studies. Originally planning to major in English, Bowman switched to Film Studies after she fell in love with film production and criticism during her time at Yale. As an undergrad, she wrote, directed, and edited three short films; pioneered arts and culture-focused videos for the Yale Daily News; and was the summer video coordinator for Yale ITS. After college, Bowman moved to New York and became an award-winning director, professional colorist, and owner of the growing production and post-production company Bowman Pictures. She has written, directed, and served as executive producer on two previous faith-based films, Lean on Him (2015), a recipient of the Howard R. Lamar Prize in Film and Video, and Saturday Grace (2018), which screened at the Academy Award-qualifying Reel Sisters of Diaspora Film Festival and Lecture Series (2019).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Patrice was experiencing feelings of despair and isolation and decided to read the entire Bible as a way to ground and stabilize herself. The book that most captured her attention was the Book of Ecclesiastes, as it is filled with challenging questions on how to live life. Reading the text inspired her to write, direct, produce, edit, and color grade Under the Sun After the Wind. The film features an isolated Black woman living in a barren white room. She can only interact with the outside world via her smartphone. According to Bowman, “This cinematic representation of the Book of Ecclesiastes truly illustrates how pessimism and optimism clash within one woman as she sees the worst and best of humanity online. Ultimately, I want Under the Sun After the Wind to remind us all that though fear, cruelty and injustice plague our lives, we cannot afford to give up and not try to change the world for the better. Too much is at stake.”

Under the Sun After the Wind has been selected for thirteen film festivals, one showcase and has won several awards including, Pano Microgrant (2022), Best Director of Experimental & best Social Awareness – Revolution Me Film Festival (2022), Best Director & Best Cinematography – Great Lakes Christian Film Festival (2022). Everywhere the film has been screened, audience members approach Bowman to share how the film has spoken to their struggles, and triumphs, with faith.

Bowman is currently in pre-production for her next film, Father’s Shadow, the short version of a feature-length faith-based horror film that she will direct in the next few years.

So how can you watch Under the Sun After the Wind? While the film isn’t publicly available yet, Patrice encourages people — regardless of their faith background — to contact her on her website www.bowmanpicturesllc.com to discuss viewing the film. She hopes viewers will engage in its question of how to remain hopeful, positively engaged, and sane in an inherently unjust world. Patrice is also available to expand the conversation on how her films can be used as teaching tools where she can elaborate on the filmmaking process and about faith-based films focused on social justice and mental health.