Cheer Up Baby
From the Archives
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Drama, Short Films, 07-Sep-2018
In New York City, a young woman reckons with being sexually assaulted by a stranger on the train. This powerful drama from director Adinah Dancyger, moves in small waves, accumulating resonance with each exchange. India Salvor Menuez plays Anna, a woman forced to navigate a harsh reality. In the aftermath of the incident, we scan her life, alternating between a movement workshop, a babysitting gig, and spending time with her musician boyfriend (played by Keith Poulson). Her anguish is hidden from view — the burden is all her own — and trying to move on, means constant reminders of the assault. The touch of her boyfriend is triggering, and indeed physical contact is a major theme throughout, portrayed through her workshops as a means for openness and human connectivity. So too, Anna’s loss of innocence is profound against the playful young girl she babysits for. Menuez is captivating — we rarely leave her face, and there’s never a fake moment. Visually, “Cheer Up Baby,” is filled with potent imagery from D.P. Mia Cioffi Henry, and deftly edited by Dancyger herself. See also, her previous film, “Chopping Onions". Written, Directed, and Edited by Adinah Dancyger. Producer: Emily McEvoy. Starring India Salvor Menuez. D.P. Mia Cioffi Henry. Production Designer: Katy Hallowell.
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