‘Sorry, Baby‘ Redefines the Trauma Narrative with nuance and Honesty
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A quiet yet powerful film is resonating with audiences and critics alike. Actor and comedian Eva Victor’s directorial debut, Sorry, Baby, premiered to acclaim at Sundance and Cannes, and has since sparked conversation for its refreshing approach to depicting life after sexual assault.
From Comedy to Directing: A Personal Journey
In late 2020, Victor paused their work on the Showtime drama Billions to return to their cousin’s home in rural Maine. This unexpected downtime coincided with encouragement from Barry Jenkins, director of Moonlight, who had discovered Victor’s comedic videos online and requested a script.It was during this period of isolation that Victor began to explore a deeply personal experience – a past trauma – which ultimately formed the basis for Sorry, Baby.
“It’s like a stone gets shoved into the river of your life,” Victor explained, reflecting on the process. “There’s a lot of pain in trying to remove it and you can’t. You just have to find a way for the water to move around it. It’s so unfair that someone threw a stone into your life. It’s hard to wrap your head around any of it.”
The film, produced by Jenkins, deliberately avoids graphic depictions of the assault itself, rather focusing on the aftermath and the complex journey of healing. This approach distinguishes Sorry, Baby from many films categorized under the #MeToo umbrella, such as Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman and Zoë Kravitz’s Blink Twice, which frequently enough center on the act of violence itself.
Did You Know? The concept of trauma as a defining event, often termed the “trauma plot,” has been critically examined by scholars like Parul Sehgal, who argues it can flatten a character’s identity.
A New Lens on Trauma and Healing
Sorry, Baby centers on Agnes, a young academic portrayed by Victor, and her experience following an assault. The film unfolds over several years, showcasing the non-linear and often inconsistent nature of processing trauma. it emphasizes the importance of multifaceted identity and the continuation of life amidst pain.
The film’s strength lies in its portrayal of Agnes’s close friendship with Lydie,played by Naomi Ackie. Their relationship provides a grounding force and a source of both humor and support.The dynamic highlights the importance of platonic love and the complexities of navigating life alongside a friend who is on a different path.
Victor’s background in comedy, honed through work at the feminist satirical website Reductress and stand-up performances, informs the film’s tonal balance. the ability to blend humor with earnestness allows Sorry,Baby to approach a sensitive subject with both gravity and levity.
Pro Tip: When discussing sensitive topics like trauma,prioritizing the internal experience of characters over graphic depictions can foster empathy and understanding.
The Collaborative Path to Directing
After sharing the script with Jenkins in 2021, Victor was encouraged to direct the film herself.Jenkins and his producing partners, Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak, provided mentorship and support, including shadowing Jane Schoenbrun on the set of I Saw the TV Glow.Filming for Sorry, Baby took place in Massachusetts in 2024.
The film’s release comes at a time when the initial momentum of the #MeToo movement has waned, and many survivors face ongoing challenges in seeking accountability. Victor acknowledges this context but emphasizes the film’s focus on individual healing rather than broader societal critique. “All I know is this one version of this story, all I want to talk about is this attempt at healing,” thay stated.
What role do you think art plays in shaping public conversations around sensitive issues like sexual assault and trauma?
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| Key Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Eva Victor begins writing Sorry, Baby | Late 2020 |
| Barry Jenkins encourages Victor to direct | 2021 |
| Filming of sorry, Baby commences | 2024 |
| Sorry, Baby premieres at Sundance | January 2025 |
| Sorry, Baby released in US cinemas | June 2025 |
The conversation surrounding sexual assault and trauma representation in film is constantly evolving. Sorry, Baby contributes to this dialog by offering a nuanced perspective that prioritizes the complexities of healing over sensationalism. This approach aligns with a growing trend in storytelling that seeks to move beyond simplistic narratives and embrace the multifaceted nature of human experience. The film’s success also highlights the increasing demand for female-driven stories and the importance of supporting emerging filmmakers like eva Victor.
Frequently Asked questions about Sorry, Baby
- What is Sorry, Baby about? Sorry, Baby is a film that explores the aftermath of sexual assault and the long, complex journey of healing.
- Who directed Sorry, Baby? Eva victor, an actor and comedian, made her directorial debut with Sorry, Baby.
- What makes Sorry, Baby different from other films about sexual assault? The
