First-Time Film-Maker's Journey: Sorry, Baby Confronts Trauma and Healing through Dark Comedy

Strategic Insights -

A young film-maker's debut, Sorry, Baby, grapples with the aftermath of sexual assault through gallows humour and steadfast friendship. Written, directed, and starring Eva – a nonbinary French-American, Sorry, Baby is a dark comedy centred on Agnes, a young literature professor navigating the detours and roundabouts of life. Produced by Oscar-winning Moonlight creator Barry Jenkins, the film opens with a reunion between Agnes and her friend Lydie, who shares the news of her pregnancy. As they reminisce about their college years, the conversation turns to their former advisor, Professor Preston Decker, who is revealed to have played a traumatic role in Agnes's past. The film takes the audience on a journey through Agnes's life, tracing her journey from past to present, and delving into the theme of healing and finding one's way back to oneself.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sorry, Baby, a dark comedy written, directed, and starring nonbinary film-maker Eva, explores the aftermath of sexual assault through the lens of a young literature professor, Agnes.
  • Produced by Oscar-winning Moonlight creator Barry Jenkins, the film gained momentum during the coronavirus pandemic, when Eva's obsession with movies led to writing the screenplay.
  • Sorry, Baby is set in rural New England, where Agnes navigates her way back to herself through gallows humour and the steadfast support of her friend Lydie.
  • The film's narrative is divided into chapters, flashing between past and present, providing a poignant portrayal of Agnes's journey towards healing.
  • Eva employed a deliberate decision not to show the assault in the film, instead choosing to convey the trauma through the camera's lingering outside as the sky darkens.
  • Sorry, Baby's narrative fiction element allows for the incorporation of emotional truths from life within a constructed world, as Eva stated, "I found it very special to take emotional truths from life and build a world for them to exist in."
  • The film's friendship between Agnes and Lydie is a cornerstone of Agnes's life, exemplifying the kind of love where one sits with someone and listens during the most intense times.
  • Sorry, Baby premiered in cinemas, with the film-maker emphasizing that their dream was to have people feel connected to the film and feel less alone.

Statistics:

  • Sorry, Baby was produced by Barry Jenkins, known for championing the film through the entire production process.
  • Eva, the writer, director, and star, sent the script to Barry Jenkins in 2021 for his guidance and support.
  • The film features a predominantly female-led cast, including Eva, Naomi Ackie, Kelly McCormack, and Eva's Billions co-star, Louis Cancelmi.
  • Sorry, Baby explores the themes of trauma, healing, and friendship, using gallows humour as a tool to convey the emotional weight of Agnes's experiences.
  • The film is set in rural New England, providing a unique backdrop for Agnes's journey towards healing and self-discovery.

Sources:

  • Barry Jenkins
  • Eva (nonbinary film-maker)
  • Pastel (Eva's company)
  • Aftersun (Oscar-nominated film)
  • Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the Sundance Film Festival
  • Moonlight (Oscar-winning film)
  • Billions (TV series)
  • Comedy Central
  • Manchester by the Sea (film)
  • The Founder (film)