Flapflapflap flapflap flap. A large bird and a small boy cohabit in an unhappy relationship, trapped by four walls and a mutual codependence.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Renee Zhan

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Hold Me (Ca Caw Ca Caw) was my thesis film, so the practical answer is to graduate from college.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

In the history of animation there’ve been many films starring an animal who acts like a human. In Hold Me (Ca Caw Ca Caw) I was interested in making a film about an animal who acted like an animal, and seeing how that affected the plot, the film, and the relationships within it. Also I tried to make the film funny and interesting and a little sexy.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I’ve always worked with personal experience as a starting point to my films. I don’t really know where else to get them! Hold Me (Ca Caw Ca Caw) was certainly sparked by personal narrative, but the film quickly became a playground for me to examine and construct the troubled relationship between independent characters, Bird and Boy. I have started to view films I make as alternative realities for my own life. My films tend to end rather grimly, so I sort of hope that by creating these worst case scenarios, by identifying my own fears and anxieties, removing them from myself, and putting them into the films, my own life will go more smoothly.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

The script used to be much more expansive. I was forced to cut it down mainly due to time constraints, but I think the edits also made it a much better film. It used to heavily feature a scene in which Bird goes to a birdclub in Berlin and dances the night away and lays her egg there. Now the film is all contained in one house and mostly one room, and I think that really helps with the claustrophobic feeling and need to escape that I was trying to create.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The most important feedback I’ve received is from people who say that the film has touched or moved them in some way, especially from women. It’s a story about a boy and a bird but it’s really a story about a boy and a girl and it’s really a story about a girl, told from a girl’s point of view. It’s very validating to realize that the feelings and emotions and concerns I put into the film were preserved somehow and connected with the audience.

I’ve also had some parents come up to me very angrily after the screening because they thought they were bringing their kids to see a cute cartoon.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

After spending a year so close to a film during production, it’s impossible to see it objectively or clearly. I might as well be watching a blank white screen with some squishing sounds when I’m watching it. It’s only through talking to and hearing feedback from others that I can start to see it again and that it starts to come to life again for me. So I am always grateful for any and all feedback.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I just want more people to see the film!

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I would love to hear from any and all of the above. Please email me at ummrenee@gmail.com!

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I’d love for the film to get a wide audience and I just want to hear honest reactions from audience members.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Why is the tragedy of life a comedy?

Would you like to add anything else?

Ca caaaaw

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I’m currently on a year-long fellowship in Japan, working on another animated short film. It’s about a bunch of Renees who go on a spiritual quest.

Interview: March 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Hold Me (Ca Caw Ca Caw)

Flapflapflap flapflap flap. A large bird and a small boy cohabit in an unhappy relationship, trapped by four walls and a mutual codependence.

Length: 11 min 25 sec

Director: Renee Zhan

Producer: Renee Zhan

Writer: Renee Zhan

About the writer, director and producer:

Renee Zhan is a graduate of Harvard University, with a degree in Visual and Environmental Studies: Film/Animation. She likes wearing pretty dresses and making ugly films.

Key cast: Tom Waddick, Renee Zhan

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Funders:

Made in association with: Harvard University

Where can I see it in the next month?

Boston Underground Film Festival, Stuttgart International Animation Festival, 29 Dresden Filmfest, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, Filmfort