
A Bladed Mind
A powerful film about one mother’s fight to escape abuse, protect her child, and reclaim her voice—through community, healing, and the kindness strangers.
About the film.
A Bladed Mind follows the journey of a single mother named Sarah, navigating the trauma of an abusive relationship while carrying an unborn child diagnosed with Down syndrome.
Fearing for their safety, she escapes and begins a new life—one rooted in purpose, empowerment, and protection.
Set in the Philippines and San Francisco, the film explores how her life is changed by the people she meets along the way.
She finds strength through community, healing, and Filipino martial arts. Her past eventually resurfaces, but this time, she is no longer the woman who once lived in fear.
This is more than a story about survival. It's a story about finding your voice, creating inclusive spaces, and rewriting your legacy.
meet the cast
for the Proof of Concept
Rico Ramos (Writer/Producer)
Shot on location at:
Sparks Social SF

















meet the story characters
Sarah, a frightened young woman, finds herself trapped in an abusive relationship while pregnant with a child who will be born with Down syndrome. Determined to escape this toxic environment and create a better life for herself and her unborn child, Sarah makes the brave decision to run away and start anew. As Sarah embarks on her journey, she encounters a diverse group of people who become her pillars of support. Through their unwavering belief in her, Sarah begins to find the confidence she needs to grow and thrive. From kind strangers offering a helping hand to inspiring allies who uplift her spirit, each person she meets becomes a catalyst for her personal growth. From a frightened and vulnerable woman, she blossoms into a confident individual, overcoming her fears and embracing her inner strength. As she finds her voice and learns to love herself, Sarah realizes the incredible potential within her and the profound impact she can have on her child's life.
Jorge, a captivating and manipulative young man, believes the world owes him everything. With his striking good looks and charming personality, he easily wins people over, using his charisma to further his own ambitions. Driven by an insatiable hunger for power and wealth, Jorge stops at nothing to achieve his desires. However, his egotistical nature leads to destructive behavior, often lashing out with abusive tendencies and a short temper. Jorge’s life takes a dark turn when he discovers that his girlfriend, the mother of his unborn child, has vanished before the child’s birth. Amidst his quest for dominance, Jorge crosses paths with a notorious crime lord who recognizes his potential. Impressed by Jorge's cunning and manipulative nature, the crime lord takes him under his wing, mentoring him in the ways of deceit and corruption. As Jorge's mentor guides him through the dark underbelly of politics, he learns the art of manipulation, blackmail, and backroom dealings. With each step, JoJo becomes increasingly entangled in a web of corruption, his thirst for power growing stronger.
Beth, a compassionate and resilient woman, finds herself thrust into a life-altering situation when her younger sister Sarah reveals she is carrying an unborn child with Down syndrome and is trapped in an abusive relationship. Driven by love and a fierce determination to protect her sister, Beth becomes Sarah's guiding light in her sister’s tumultuous journey. With unwavering devotion, Beth devises a plan for Sarah to escape the clutches of Sarah's abusive boyfriend. Understanding the urgent need for a safe haven, Beth reaches out to an old friend who owns a farm blooming with magnificent sunflowers. This picturesque sanctuary becomes a refuge, shielding Sarah from harm while they begin to rebuild Sarah’s life. Beth reminds us of the profound impact one person's love and dedication can have on the lives of others, shining a light on the transformative power of empathy and the boundless strength found within the human heart.
Rhodora, a kind-hearted and compassionate woman, runs a sunflower farm that serves as more than just a place of beauty. At the age of 19, she developed a deep connection with a college classmate who had polio, igniting her advocacy for persons with disabilities. Since then, Rhodora has dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of others. When Rhodora's college friend Beth reaches out to her for help, she learns about her pregnant sister's dangerous situation with an abusive boyfriend. Rhodora's innate instinct to help kicks in, and she decides to step up and provide a safe haven for the pregnant sister at her sunflower farm, where the entire staff is made of People with disabilities. Rhodora's Sunflower Sanctuary becomes a refuge for the pregnant sister, offering Sarah a place to live and protection from the abusive boyfriend. The sanctuary not only ensures her physical safety but also provides access to professional counseling and emotional support.
Rudy is an inspiring individual who has overcome a troubled past to become a force for positive change in his community. After spending a decade in and out of the correctional system, he found redemption and a new sense of purpose when he discovered his faith. Determined to make a difference, Rudy founded the nonprofit organization United Players in San Francisco. Driven by his own experiences, Rudy focuses on advocating for at-risk kids, abused women, and unlawfully incarcerated individuals. Through United Players, he creates impactful programs and initiatives that empower lives and build resilient communities. Mentoring programs, educational support, life skills training, counseling services, legal aid, and shelter assistance are just a few of the ways United Players supports those in need. One of Rudy's significant achievements involves his encounter with Sarah, a single mother raising a child with Down Syndrome. Recognizing her vulnerability, he connects her with a martial arts instructor to learn self-defense. This simple act of empowerment transforms Sarah's life, boosting her self-confidence and equipping her with the skills to protect herself and her child.
Grand Master Gomez is a revered instructor of Filipino Martial Arts and Kajukenbo, known for his kind-hearted disposition and unwavering dedication to his students. While he maintains a light-hearted demeanor, his sternness comes to the forefront when it is needed most. Grand Master Gomez has had several female students who had experienced abuse or rape. Recognizing their vulnerability and deep emotional scars, he took it upon himself to guide them on a path of healing and empowerment through the practice of martial arts. With patience, compassion, and an unwavering belief in their potential, he helped these women reclaim their strength, rebuild their confidence, and take charge of their lives once again. He is introduced to Sarah, a single mother raising a child with Down syndrome. Sarah had recently escaped an abusive relationship and yearned for the ability to protect herself and her child. Grand Master Gomez recognized her resilience and inner strength, and he became her mentor and confidant. Through personalized training sessions, he taught Sarah self-defense techniques and provided her with the tools to control her fears.
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We’re currently raising funds to complete this film. Your support goes directly toward production, casting, accessibility outreach, and post-production.
Whether it’s $5 or $500, your donation helps tell a story that gives voice to survivors, uplifts children with disabilities, and centers healing through cultural tradition.