When Susie Franklin witnesses the death of her mother on a family picnic her childhood is destroyed forever. Her father unknowingly records the moment of horror with his 8mm home movie camera and his obsession with the final few minutes of footage ruins his relationship with Susie forever.
Susie grows older and the film flashes to her life at University. Her final philosophy examination is fast approaching, however, she finds it all most impossible to concentrate on her study. Her childhood affliction to lamps dominates and disturbs her mind. Her obsession with light ultimately leads her to the most magnificent lamp of all and in a moment of haste she steals it from a librarian.
Together Susie and a desk lamp journey into the darkness to confront those childhood fears. Through facing these fears Susie will seek redemption with her father and, of course, show a touch of courage.