Chinese American actress and screenwriter Zita Bai and Chinese Producer Qiyu Zhou (both young filmmakers in their mid-20’s) will present the West Coast premiere of their coming-of-age feature film Baby, Don’t Cry in Hollywood, during the upcoming, annual DANCES WITH FILMS Festival, on Thursday, June 16 @ 9:30 PM. For the creation of the film, the two Chinese women – whose goal was to “slam minority stereotypes” – blended the Asian genre film with their own feminine voices to present a true story. In so doing, they are hoping to launch a “Chinese Horror Film New Wave.”
A fantasy thriller mixed with horror elements, Baby, Don’t Cry, a Mad Hound Production, was shot in and around Seattle, Washington, during 2019 – and completed in June 2021. To date, the film has been screened at the Fantasia International Film Festival 2021 (Montreal, Canada,) the New Orleans Film Festival 2021 (New Orleans,) and the Victoria Film Festival 2022 (BC, Canada.)
The film is the winner of the 2022 “Silver Remi” Award from the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.
Based on initial critical reviews, Bai has “established herself as a storyteller to watch with Baby, Don’t Cry, on which she worked seamlessly with director Jesse Dvorak.”
Created, written by and starring Zita Bai, Baby, Don’t Cry also stars Vas Provatakis, Helen Sun and Boni Mata. The film was directed by Jesse Dvorak; produced by Zeron Zhao and Qiyu Zhou; and co-produced by Shincy Lu. The film’s running time is 90 minutes.
Source: To view the Trailer for Baby, Don’t Cry, on YouTube visit: https://youtu.be/Qf7GMmLDmX4
About BABY, DON’T CRY
An intense drama, Baby, Don’t Cry tells the story of Baby, a 17-year-old Chinese immigrant living with her abusive mother on the outskirts of Seattle. She is quiet among her peers, seemingly unsure of herself and fearful of their judgments. As Baby uses art to express her conflicted sense of self, she encounters Fox, a grungy, erratic and similarly lost young man.
Fox expresses his emotions through impulsive outbursts such as theft and has an attitude that makes it clear he has no interest in the consequences of his actions. The relationship between Baby and Fox is instantly explosive and often destructive, but it gives them each something to hold onto.
As Baby learns more about what she wants from her relationship with Fox, she begins to reconsider how she relates to her mother and the larger world around her.
Written and Created by the film’s star Zita Bai, Baby, Don’t Cry pulses with originality. Bai perfectly communicates the feeling of first love and the moment when one begins to understand just who they are. The characters populating Baby, Don’t Cry feel familiar and simultaneously alien, while also encapsulating the youthful sense of unreality which many adolescents experience during painful years growing up.
What The Critics Have Said About BABY, DON’T CRY:
“With Zita Bai serving as the lead actress and the screenwriter, Baby, Don't Cry delivers a satisfying new experience that refuses to ignore the dirty realities of growing up” – Alan French, We Bought A Blog
“It is exceptionally alive” – Kurt Halfyard, ScreenAnarchy
“’Baby, Don’t Cry’ has a clear perspective and voice. It generates curiosity. It is raw – Sarah Musnicky, Nightmarish Conjurings
“Bai, as an actress and writer, demonstrates a unique vision and way to tell a story” – Carey-Ann Pawsey, Orca Sound
“It looks great and the acting is effective” – Jared Mobarak, The Film Stage
“Full of rough edges and unexpected moments, ‘Baby, Don't Cry’ captures life in the raw” – Jennie Kermode, Eye for Film
“’Baby, Don't Cry is a film rich with ideas” – Douglas Davidson, Elements of Madness
“A strong first act that's told in a linear and engaging way” – Jon Mendelsohn, CBR
"’Baby, Don't Cry’ definitely deserves a watch, particularly for Zita Bai's ideas and her acting” – Panos Kotzathanasis, Asian Movie Pulse
“Bai has a distinct voice as a screenwriter” – Gena Radcliffe, The Spool
About THE FILMMAKERS
Zita Bai is a Chinese-American actress and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. As a Chinese immigrant, she first came to the U.S. by herself as a young teen and didn’t speak a word of English. She experienced firsthand what it’s like to be an outcast youth in modern America. As a filmmaker, she wants to portray stories that accent underrepresented realities.
Qiyu Zhou is a Chinese film director, and producer based in Los Angeles. She believes filmmaking is the most soulful language as it touches the tenderest part of the audience’s heart. Her films are marked by a fascination with redemption and the recurring themes of grief, self-forgiveness, and its aftermath.
Independent Producer Zeron Zhao graduated from a film production program in which he was jointly trained by the Beijing Film Academy and the New York Film Academy. He is committed to exploring the combination of social, artistic and commercial values of films.
About THE 2022 DANCES WITH FILMS FESTIVAL
The 25th Annual DANCES WITH FILMS Festival will take place in Hollywood, CA, from June 9 – 19th. Since 1997, DANCES WITH FILMS has grown from presenting a handful of films to more than 200 each year…from narrative features and shorts to include the top documentaries, music videos tv & web on the circuit today.
In 2007, DWF brought new commitment to the indie world with the advent of the 2 Minute, 2 Step Short Film Challenge where participants actually shot 10 films during the festival and presented them to enthusiastic audiences. In 2012, DWF moved to its current location – the famed Chinese Theatre in the heart of Hollywood. From there, it has expanded to 11 days, with ever-increasing, sold out theatres.
Please visit: https://danceswithfilms.com/about/
