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Ballad of a Blood Moon

In this arthouse fantasy, a non-binary queer wakes up to the surreal forces that are controlling their life. Should Wei fulfill their mother’s dying wish, even if they don’t agree with it?

  • Jing Niu
    Director
  • Jing Niu
    Writer
  • Brandy Eggerman
    Producer
  • Caleb Andrew Ward
    Producer
    Carl, Casting JonBenet
  • Jing Niu
    Key Cast
    "Wei Mou"
    High Fidelity
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Fantasy, Kungfu, sci-fi, comedy, drama
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 32 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 22, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    16,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    Chinese, English
  • Shooting Format:
    Alexa Mini
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 23, 2020
    World
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Jing Niu

Jing Niu is an award-winning filmmaker dedicated to telling stories that challenge narratives. In addition to her poetic filmmaking style, she also prioritizes sensitivity to culture and inclusion. She gives attention to the details that help to root her characters within their communities of origin and bring those influences into the storyline.

Her films have screened at dozens of film festival and museums. She is a recipient of the Helen Hill Memorial Award, two Telly Awards, the Visual Communications AWC fellowship program and the Crosstown Artist Residency. Her music videos have premiered on The Fader, Flaunt Magazine, Sukeban, booooooom.tv and StereoGum. She holds a MFA from Duke University. Jing lives to tell stories featuring strong female leads, and to paint communities of color in a new light.

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Director Statement

Ballad of a Blood Moon is an urban mythological film that incorporates the ancient Chinese martial art of Wushu. It’s a fantastical rendering of Los Angeles in 2020 in which unborn souls are hoarded by ghouls, and deities are trapped in sacred dimensions of eternal dawn. Ballad of a Blood Moon revels in the Chinese worship of the moon, and the moon’s influence on our countless poets and artist. An homage to the glistening kungfu flicks that poured out of Hong Kong in the 80’s, this film contemporizes an age-old Chinese genre. Shot all at night, this dark fantasy features fight scenes by professional choreographers and was created with love by a majority queer Asian-American film crew. As a child, I grew up watching wuxia films with my mother. I hope to add my own perspective to an traditional Chinese genre, and push our culture forward.