[5 Minutes, GoPro 4K, Color, English, Rated R]
Written & Directed by Eddie Shieh
Starring Josephine Huang & Logan Roberts
Sound Design by William Hsieh
@2021 Red Rope Productions

Made in support of the 2021 Asian American Film Lab 72 Hour Shootout.

Currently in festival contention.

STATEMENT

CHINA DOLL is a film made in 72 hours based on my feature project and my second proof-of-concept about an Asian American woman who is abducted by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Creating for the 72 Hour Shootout is a venue I enjoy using to explore and experiment. This was also my first venture into the horror genre even though I prefer psychological thrillers. My interest came after hearing an interview on how sound alone amplifies fear.

COVID restrictions actually helped simplify my story and visuals. While I manned my GoPro and sound as best as possible, by only shooting silhouettes, actors could be filmed separately (or masked) with their audio layered as if they were together.

Overall, I witnessed how fine the lines are to push horror into gore or pulling towards comedic. Hopefully I succeeded in just telling a story where a woman is fighting in the dark for her life.

Currently in festival contention.

2021
Asian American Film Lab 72 Hour Shootout, USA: MOST ORIGINAL USE OF THEME
New York Asian American International Film Festival, USA

2022
Media Fright Festival, USA
Short Sweet Film Festival, USA
Columbus International Film & Animation Festival, USA

China Doll