Cry Me A River
悲伤是一条干枯的河
TAIWAN, INDIA | 2024 | Fiction | Short | 16min
Director: Suman SEN
Screenwriter: Suman SEN
Executive Producer: Tatiana Kelly
Producer: Ivy Yu-Hua SHEN, Bo-Tsun KUO, Dominique WELINSKI, Suman SEN
Cinematographer: Ai CHUNG
Editor: Natalia Gozdzik
Art Director: Yin-Chiao LIAO
Sound: Dan Hibbert
Music: Mirjam Skal Schnedl
Starring:
Yi-Chieh LEE
Meng Hsuan CHU
Synopsis
XIXI works as a professional mourner, hired to weep at funerals.During one of her performances, she unexpectedly loses the ability to summon tears at will. As a result, she finds herself torn between conflicting emotions and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
Festival&Award

MAMI Mumbai Film Festival
- Official Selection

Pune International Film Festival
- Official Selection
Director's Note
The world never ceases to fascinate me. I find inspiration in the ever-changing landscape around us, especially in cultures that are slowly fading away. There's something deeply rewarding about immersing myself in these cultures and capturing their essence on film. I came across an article about Taiwanese mourning traditions, which immediately captivated me. I shared the core idea with Ivy, and together we began developing it. What started as a spark of interest evolved into an intense character study, set against the backdrop of a harsh yet poignant reality. The story revolves around a woman experiencing a profound catharsis, her emotional journey laying bare the raw and stirring truths of her world.

Suman SEN
Suman, a filmmaker in Mumbai, India, made 'The Silent Echo,' an Oscar-qualified short that won awards at Raindance, Kaohsiung, and Critic's Choice in India. It screened at 75 festivals, including Holly Shorts, and won 15 awards, with deals with HBO and Cathay Pacific. His film 'Cry Me A River,' premiering at Palm Springs and Raindance, got a Taichung grant. Suman's feature 'Eka (Solo)' was at NFDC, Torino, and other labs, and is an India-France-Taiwan co-pro with CNC funding. He also judged at Cinekid Festival.