Two Gates of Sleep is a 2010 independent film directed and written by Alistair Banks Griffin. The film follows two brothers, Jack and Louis, who live together in seclusion in the deep south of the United States. The film begins with their mother on her deathbed, requesting to be buried in a specific place upriver. Jack and Louis set out on a journey to fulfill her last wish.
The journey is arduous and the brothers face many obstacles along the way. They must navigate dangerous waters, avoid hostile locals, and confront their own personal demons. The film is told through a series of dreamlike sequences that blend reality and imagination. The brothers are haunted by memories of their past, as they confront their grief and come to terms with their mother's death.
As they make their way upriver, the brothers encounter a series of strange characters, including a young girl, a hermit, and a group of fishermen. Each encounter challenges the brothers in new ways and forces them to confront their deepest fears.
Throughout the film, Griffin creates a sense of tension and foreboding, as the audience wonders if the brothers will be able to complete their journey and bury their mother in the place she requested. Two Gates of Sleep is a haunting and poetic exploration of grief, loss, and the power of family bonds.