NARRATIVE SHORT
FEBRUARY 3, 2021
USA | 7 minutes | 2019
Narrative short film directed by Dalton Zongshian Lu
Starring Eunice Lee, Victoria Avalon
Black Cloud
A new mother is suffering from postpartum depression while her relationship with her wife is falling apart as they struggle to figure it out.
In the United States alone, between 10% to 20% of new mothers experience postpartum depression. A study in 2013 found that 1 in 7 women may experience postpartum depression in the year after giving birth. And in Asian countries alone, that number may be as high as 65% of women, according to a 2011 study. Dalton Zongshian Lu’s Black Cloud is a film that explores this sensitive and very real condition many women face.
Christine (Eunice Lee) is a new mother experiencing postpartum depression, and having a hard time vocalizing it to her wife, Adele (Victoria Avalon). Even a simple task of getting ready to go out is hard for Christine, and Adele struggles to understand why. Black Cloud captures a moment of sadness, exhaustion, confusion, and despair and a relationship that’s hanging on by a thread.
In a very short time, Lu provides us with a snapshot of a woman who feels like she’s on the verge of falling apart. The leads deliver convincing performances, and the cinematography choices work well by give us a glimpse inside the lives of these two characters without being too invasive. The film serves as a reminder to all of us just how strong mothers are, and a little support and consideration can go a long way.
Black Cloud is one of the many great projects shared with CineAsian Films through our submissions process. If you’d like to join them, submit your film.
Credits
Director, Writer, Producer: Dalton Zongshian Lu
Co-writer: Nana Frimpong
Cinematographer: Halle Cottle
Editor: Subhro Das
Composer: Brett Bailey
More from Dalton Zongshian Lu: Kurotani Washi
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