Logline:

In the twilight of his life, an aging Alaskan fisherman and father, grieving his late wife, considers a mysterious procedure promising a fresh start. As close friends undergo the transformation, he grapples with his longing for a second chance and the cost of letting go of the life he’s known.

Synopsis:

Written and directed by Puerto Rican filmmaker, Emilio Miguel Torres, THE LADDER is a 103 minute Sci-Fi, Drama film about an aging fisherman grappling with chronic pain, grieving his late wife, and coming to terms with changing dynamics with his estranged son and community. The story focuses on Arthur, who witnesses his best friend, Joe, undergo a procedure that allows him to upload his memories into a synthetically created younger copy of himself to get a second chance at life. When Arthur is offered the same procedure, he struggles whether or not to take a chance on this mysterious and groundbreaking scientific breakthrough. Set and authentically shot in Ketchikan, Alaska, the film features non-professional actors from Torres’ hometown. A community film, the story covers themes of aging, technology, and finding a sense of purpose in the final chapter of life.