Experiencing Interruptions?

The Birth

Annie suffers from the late stages of Dementia during the shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. To ease her of painful reoccurring memories, Julia arranges a birthday party for Annie.

  • Xupeng Feng
    Director
    The Viola (2020)
  • Holli Harms
    Writer
    Icarus Stops for Breakfast (2019)
  • Haohao Yan
    Writer
    The Speech (III) (2020)
  • Kalen Eriksson
    Producer
    Spies in Disguise (2019)
  • Courtney Bissonette
    Key Cast
    Love in Kilnerry (2019)
  • Katherine Cooley
    Key Cast
    The Birth (2021)
  • Michael Newman
    Key Cast
    The Birth (2021)
  • Aria Publicover
    Key Cast
    Germaphobe (2021)
  • Alban Lazri
    Key Cast
    Deviant in Blue
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 6 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 1, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    25,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital;35mm;RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - School of Visual Arts
Director Biography - Xupeng Feng

After finishing my Master's degree in Material Formation and Control Engineering, I gradually developed an intense interest in filmmaking. I intend to continue making films and hope to see my knowledge of engineering married with my passion for cinema as my career matures.

Even though I was an engineering student I had a tremendous passion for literature and writing, I have persisted in keeping all types of journals. I am sure all the words I have taken down will be an invaluable treasure for me to recollect when I need to visualize them. I am currently finishing my first narrative short film, Birth, as I earn my Masters in Directing from SVA in New York City.

Keep asking myself: why am I giving up a promising future in my career and devote myself to filmmaking? I believe that filmmaking is the only way to visualize the dreams in my head and the stories in my drawer. Join my journey to the film’s world.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I grew up with my grandma. She does not have Alzheimer's disease, however, her memories are fading away as time goes by. But she remembers many childhood stories even clearer as her life is approaching its end. We often teased her when she forgot things by saying "you have Alzheimer's!" She passed away 2 years ago. I didn’t see her again after moving from work to the other side of the Earth. I didn't mean to make a "memorial film" for her, I prefer to let her rest in peace. I am trying to tell her that I am changing my career from an engineer to a filmmaker. So my initial thought is to make a film relevant to that warm joke.
Annie is a dying old lady. What she can remember is the fragment of memory.
I am trying to tell a story about circling and the nature of a human being.
Life is a circle; when something similar happens around, it reminds you of something you care about deep down inside your mind.

I am enticed by layered characters and I greatly enjoy exploring new ways of expressing reality through individuality.