Private Project

Foods For Coping

A Chinese single mother, Hui, grapples with the fallout of discovering her 16-year-old daughter’s pregnancy. Headstrong and brilliant, Yilin refuses to terminate her pregnancy and safeguard her future. As the two are caught in a violent impasse, Hui calls on help from the mother of Yilin’s boyfriend — an act that may jeopardise her relationship with her daughter forever.

  • Zoey Zhao
    Director
  • Zoey Zhao, Malinna Liang
    Writer
  • Zoey Zhao
    Producer
  • Duncan Cole
    Cinematographer
    The Devil Dared Me To, Born to Dance, Ecco, Honk if You're Horny, etc
  • Joan Liu
    Key Cast
    "Hui"
  • Jessie Yu
    Key Cast
    "Yilin"
  • Amanda Billing
    Key Cast
    "Christy"
    Shortland Street, The Cul De Sac, Power Rangers Ninja Steel, etc
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    食愈
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Family
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 31 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 7, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    17,200 NZD
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    Chinese, English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, ARRI
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Zoey Zhao

Zoey Zhao is an Auckland-based Chinese filmmaker. She majored in editing for a Bachelor’s Degree and graduated in 2020 with a Masters in Screen Production at the University of Auckland. Fueled by a never-ending urge to challenge herself, Zoey was the producer, writer, editor, production designer as well as the director for Foods For Coping. She has a profound insight from the background of working on set and behind the camera, she is capable of giving the audience a comprehensive and fulfilling experience by focusing on a contemporary social issue and the relationship upheaval surrounding it.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Foods For Coping is inspired by the real events between my mother and myself, fighting and making up for almost two decades. I felt I was uniquely qualified to tell a story about a rebellious young teen and an unexpressive single mother, who moved to Auckland ten years ago. As a grown-up woman filmmaker, nothing is more powerful than personally being an immigrant to New Zealand, giving me the ability to speak with a voice to which a lot of families could relate. I start with my story with a mature point of view instead of a young pregnant girl. It’s more likely to find out what an Asian parent would do for a reconciliation of a fight between her child and her conflicts. However, the purpose of having a pregnant teen in the story is to bring two characters with a wall between them closer together, as both characters’ conscience grows over time. The nature of a relationship is not just dependent on the environment or situational influences but also on how one perceives themselves and others participating in a close bond. I want this film to bring more awareness to children to understand your parent better. Also parents should consolidate your children’s opinions with yours to give the best support that your children need.