Matthew's Gift (2016)

Oana Hogrefe is a mother, doula, and photographer focusing primarily on family and child photography. One day a year, Oana dedicates her art to photographing a child nearing the end of life. "Matthew's Gift" follows Oana through her photography session with the Hart family, whose four-year-old son has been diagnosed with a tumor on his brain stem. Joining Oana as a camera assistant for the first time is Mary, the photographer's nine-year-old daughter. Using a vérité cinematic style, "Matthew's Gift" explores death, love and family with a pragmatic and honest approach, allowing the viewers to immerse themselves into Oana's process and her own relationship with her daughter. "Matthew's Gift" ultimately reveals the delicate beauty in death, and that even the most tragic circumstances often allow us to develop stronger human connections.